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Lynbrook school board candidates debate budget pressures, student mental health and security at PTA forum
Summary
Four candidates for three seats on the Lynbrook Union Free School District board answered PTA‑moderated questions about state aid and the budget, student mental health supports, campus security and changes to a gifted education program. Voters will elect three trustees and vote on the budget May 21.
Four candidates seeking three seats on the LYNBROOK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education summarized their priorities and clashed over how the district should respond to shrinking state funding, growing student mental‑health needs and school safety.
The Nassau Region PTA moderated the forum and introduced candidates Leslie Denino, Shannon Kelly, Courtney Knack and Shawn Murray. Each gave a three‑minute opening statement and answered a rotating set of questions from the moderators and audience. The moderator reminded attendees that the district budget and three trustee seats will be decided by voters on May 21.
The forum centered on budget uncertainty and unfunded state mandates. “The continual addition of unfunded mandates by Albany with a continual retraction of state aid … is the number one issue facing our district,” said Shawn Murray, who urged advocacy in Albany and noted the constraints of the two‑percent tax cap. Several candidates recommended pursuing grants and shared services to preserve programs without raising taxes.
Mental health supports and security also drew sustained attention. Candidates described existing programs — the RULER social‑emotional curriculum, Sources of Strength and a high‑school hub for mental‑health staff — and urged continued staffing and evaluation. Courtney Knack said she would like to see more data on program outcomes and “a full‑time social worker in every building” if feasible. On security, candidates listed operational steps already taken (automated lockdowns, dual‑entry doors, an in‑house security team and partnerships with local police) and expressed skepticism that armed guards would materially increase safety.
The candidates discussed classroom technology, with broad agreement that use must be age‑appropriate and regularly audited; they also urged more parent training on district portals and suggested building‑level technology leads to support teachers.
On governance questions, candidates who are current educators said they would “change hats” when serving as board members and prioritize the community as a whole in contract negotiations, balancing fair compensation with fiscal responsibility.
The PTA moderators closed by reminding the audience of the May 21 election and budget vote hours. The forum recording and additional candidate materials were referenced as sources for voters seeking more detail.
Next step: voters decide the budget and three board seats on May 21; no formal board action or vote was taken at the forum itself.
