Cold Spring Harbor has three candidates for school board

Cold Spring Harbor has three competitors vying for two seats on the board of education, including one incumbent and two newcomers.

Lloyd Harbor residents George Schwertl, a member of the Cold Spring Harbor Library board; and Lizabeth Squicciarni, a member of the Citizen Faculty Association, a parent-teacher association at the CSH Junior/Senior High School, are going up against Vice President Amelia Walsh Brogan, who is seeking a third term.

Lizabeth Squicciarni

Squicciarni, an eight-year Lloyd Harbor resident, has served as co-vice president and secretary on the CFA board and is a member of both the Cold Spring Harbor Education Foundation and the Central Parents Council.

She said she would like to carry on the success the district has already established.

“Like many residents in our community, my husband and I decided to move to the Cold Spring Harbor school district because of its impressive reputation and consistent ranking among the top-rated districts in the country,” she said in a district letter. “We have not been disappointed … I would like the opportunity to keep moving our district forward.”

Aside from district work, Squicciarni is a New York State certified emergency medical technician and volunteers with the Fair Harbor Fire Department on Fire Island.

“I believe my background gives me the unique ability to see issues from all perspectives,” she said.

Amelia Walsh Brogan

Brogan, current vice president, has served the board for the past six years as a trustee, president and vice president. She also serves on the Audit Committee, Policy Committee and Contract Committee. In a letter to the district, Brogan said among her recent accomplishments was working to find a new superintendent.

“I was active in the search and appointment of our new superintendent of schools,” she said. “My continued commitment to academic excellence, future innovations and desire to build on our successes were imperative in my decision-making process.”

Brogan also said that during her tenure the board has maintained its AAA bond rating and adopted well-balanced budgets that were below the state-mandated tax levy increase cap that maintained student co-curricular and athletic programs and expanded some educational programs.

George Schwertl

Schwertl, who has four children currently enrolled in the district, said he is impressed and proud of the education they are receiving and knows “how important education is to our families and the community,” in a letter to the district.

Aside from serving on the library board, Schwertl is involved with the Ronald McDonald House, a nonprofit that raises money to improve the health and well-being of children.

“I have a strong commitment to our community, having lived in Suffolk my entire life,” he said. “I am a strong advocate of our teachers and believe in the power of education, sports, music and extracurricular activities to prepare students for college and help make them the best they can be.”

Schwertl also said he promises an open door policy if elected, and to be a strong voice for the community and children.