Syosset Board of Ed Candidate Q&A: Dr. Alan Resnick

I have resided in the Syosset School District for 20 years, having 3 children who have been educated in Syosset:  2 Syosset HS students, and 1 Syosset HS alumnus (class of 2009).  My entire education, from Kindergarten through Medical School has been acquired at public schools.  I am a Cardiac Anesthesiologist, and Director of the Operating Rooms at St. Francis Hospital, in Roslyn. I have been serving on the Board of Education since 2009.

QUESTIONS

1.    What is the biggest issue currently facing the Syosset School District and board?

As I have stated previously, the most critical issue that challenges New York school districts statewide, including Syosset, continues to be the provision of the very best and most varied educational offerings for our children while confronted with a persistently difficult economy.  For the first time this year, the state government has imposed a tax levy cap.  It has done so despite the addition of mandated costs to our district for new APPR (performance review) regulations, pre-school special education costs, common core curriculum, etc.  These changes have placed burdensome demands and increasing strain on our district in an environment of declining resources.  The concept of fiscal responsibility is not novel.  The school board and administration in Syosset have worked diligently to decrease costs.  Syosset students, as a whole, achieve outstanding results on state mandated tests, and the overwhelming majority who go on to higher education are well prepared, regardless of their choice of institution.  Our challenge is to maintain these results for our current and future students.

2. What is something you believe the board does well? What is something you would like to improve?

What makes this board special is the deep, intense, unadulterated desire to do what is best for the children of Syosset.  There exists a common and somewhat rampant misconception that we on the board sit at our public meetings and “rubber stamp” each item on the agenda.  What the community often fails to realize, is that serious reading and discussion takes place prior to reaching each and every decision that the board makes.  To be clear, there are indeed discussions that remain privileged and CANNOT be discussed in public.  The discussions are often lively and thoughtful, but every one of the trustees is respectful of our individual differences of opinion.  Ultimately, we all understand that each of us only wants Syosset schools to provide the best education available.  When we do come to a decision, we own that decision, one which we all support.  That is why the board meetings might seem so restrained to members of the audience.

Unfortunately, there exists another misconception that we, as a board, don’t realize that we represent the residents of Syosset.  That could not be further from the truth.  We all chose to live in this district because of the commitment on the part of the community to the education of our children.  Many continue to serve on the board after their children have graduated.  Most of the children we educate eventually live elsewhere, but they likely benefited from the wonderful academic, artistic and athletic opportunities because of their parents’ decision to reside in Syosset.  Though residents are reminded that all our phone numbers are on the district calendar, we are rarely contacted.  I’d like to make us more available and accessible.

3. What is something different that you bring to the table?

The experience that I have gained over the past three years has shown me how much detail there is to running a district of our size and stature.  The ability to understand the budgetary issues, the pension and benefit issues, and the occasional disciplinary issues, and most importantly, to deal with these in the most professional manner, with the utmost discretion, takes a level of understanding and maturity that can only be gained by years of management experience.  I have managed a medical practice with over 40 employees for the past 13 years, and have coordinated the efforts of hundreds of medical professionals and ancillary staff in directing the operating rooms at one of the premier hospitals for cardiac care in the country.

What is more important, however, is not what makes me different, but what makes me similar to the other parents and homeowners in the district.  I feel I am truly representative of most of the adults in Syosset.  I believe deeply in the importance of higher education.  I am intensely devoted to my children, as are virtually all of our residents, and wanted to be involved in their schooling, music lessons, sports, etc. I want my children to be well prepared in order to excel at the best colleges are most appropriate for them.  Just as all residents are, I am concerned about the value of my home and the property taxes that I pay.  I can represent the community, because I am the community.

4. Fast forward five years. Name an achievement and a challenge for the district. (Essentially 1. how you would like to see the district in 5 years, and 2. put yourself ahead of the curve to anticipate future challenges).

In five years, I would hope to see the Syosset School District recognized as one of the finest, if not the finest, district in the state.  There have been numerous “rankings” that place others higher, but when one really looks at the criteria, the flaws are clear to see.  We could require every student to take an Advanced Placement test, and with 100% inclusion for AP, our ranking would soar, but that isn’t practical, and more importantly, it isn’t right.  No child should be forced to take a class, or exam, that he/she isn’t qualified for, for the sole purpose if improving the perceived status of the school. 

I’d like to believe that in five years, we will have seen the economy rebound, and we will all feel better about schools.  The state mandates to require a certain level of proficiency are well intended, but for a high performing district like Syosset, they are virtually meaningless.  Hopefully, successful districts like ours will be given more autonomy in the future.

And, though my own children will have graduated, I’m looking forward to watching the Syosset Braves play on their own turf field.

5. What makes the Syosset district special / what makes you care about the district on a personal level?

What makes our district so special is the special and unique relationship that exists among the entire school community and its residents, all of whom share the common goal of ensuring that every child receives an exceptional education.  We are able to offer so many programs that simply aren’t available elsewhere:  multiple foreign languages, award winning arts programs (including plays, individual music lessons and concerts for all grades), athletics at the intramural, middle school, junior varsity and varsity levels, and over 200 student clubs and organizations.  Syosset’s programs for those whose children require special services are beyond comparison.  The district consists of 7 elementary schools, each representing different socio-economic populations.  No matter which school your children attend, al are provided with identical resources.  The passion that our staff has for the Syosset School district is unparalleled.  The concessions made by EVERY school district employee are evidence that they want to continue with all the wonderful programs Syosset offers, and they know that this community wants to keep these programs.  I am passionate about the need for excellence in public education, and have seen my children benefit from all the programs Syosset has to offer.  The future students of Syosset deserve the same.