Northport Candidate Profile: Jennifer Thompson

Northport Patch is breaking down the candidates. We have and video introductions. Now, we are sharing their answers to questions posed to them at the 's 'Meet the Canddiates' event Tuesday, May 10 at

 The event was moderated by the PTA Council’s Jennifer LaBruna. 

Audience members submitted questions, and LaBruna confirmed that all questions were asked during the evening, with the exception of any which were redundant. 

Here we feature the answers of incumbent Jennifer Thompson.

What do you see as the Role of the Board of Education?
Thompson emphasized the need to take into consideration the concerns of the community with regard to educating students.

Do you support the budget?
“I think the budget is a balance of what we needed and what the community asked for,” Thompson said, speaking favorably of the class size reduction that Superintendent Marylou McDermott has implemented.

Are special needs best served within the district?
Thompson thought that some students might be better served through BOCES but didn’t think it was the board’s role to see where each student is going. “Our role is overarching.” 

How about a budget finance committee?
“I support as much community involvement as we can get,” Thompson said.

Eight periods or AIS?
Sabia was asked specifically how his support of an eight-day period would work with regard to AIS (Academic Intervention Services) students who would not be able to take an elective.

Sabia noted that core classes would be longer, which would be beneficial to all students.  “AIS is not going to be treated any differently.”

Thompson said she disagreed. 

If you had the funds, what would you enhance? 
Thompson’s wish list included expanding the science and technology programs at the elementary school level.

Why are you qualified to run for the Board of Education? 
This questions was specifically directed at candidate Kristen Gavin. Thompson did not answer this question.

How should technology be used?
“Technology is just an enhancement. It’s not some silver bullet,” Thompson said, noting that it allows teachers more accessibility to information in the classroom.

If LIPA wins its tax certiairi lawsuit against the Town of Huntington, and the district loses $25 million, how would you handle it? 
Thompson said the district would need to address the mandated programs first, with an eye to preserving what is good and protecting what needs to be provided.

Why this 'meet the candidates' event, and not the first one? 
The candidates were asked about a Meet the Candidates night sponsored on May 5 by the Times of Northport. Thompson attended. “I’d go anywhere to meet people,” she said, noting that the size of a crowd, whether large or small, made no difference.

Should we push to change the way Suffolk County collects school taxes? 
School districts throughout the state issue tax warrants and collect the tax levy to coincide with the start of the school. Only Suffolk County is required to send such tax bills in December, which results in the need for extensive short-term borrowing by school districts in the form of tax anticipation notes (TANS). Although they are usually short-term notes, the interest can be substantial – hence the suggestion for a change.

Candidate Joe Gannon noted that he had brought a resolution before the board to advocate for an amendment to Suffolk County Tax Bill A03911, regarding the schedule for the collection of school taxes within the county 

Thompson said she is in favor of amendment.

The Vote
Residents can cast their votes on the budget, Proposition 2 — replacement of the boilers and associated mechanical systems at the East Northport Middle School and the replacement of the front steps at the William J. Brosnan School using $900,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund — and on the four open board seats on Tuesday, May 17 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Download the movie