Northport Candidate Profile: Kristen Gavin

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 challenger Kristen Gavin.

What do you see as the Role of the Board of Education?
Gavin, a teacher in another district, said she sees the job as multifaceted. “We need to provide teachers with what they need,” she said, noting that a lot of what the board does is business, but in this case, “our business is students.”

Do you support the budget?
Gavin supports the budget and addressed the idea of a zero percent increase that some members of the public have asked for. “What does that get you?” she asked rhetorically, and spoke of other nearby districts that are facing higher taxes while still losing teachers and programs. “I think we’re lucky to live here.”

Are special needs best served within the district?
“I think if we’re going to talk the talk, we need to walk the walk,” Gavin said, referring to the district’s goal of educating all students. “We have the ability,” she said, adding that a sense of community for special needs students is important.
How about a budget finance committee?
Gavin noted that she’s learned a lot from asking questions and thought it was important to look to the members of the community for answers. However, ultimately the decisions remain the board’s responsibility.

Eight periods or AIS?
Candidate Joe 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.”

Gavin called the move to an eight period day “bare bones”, and agreed with the idea that elective opportunities were important.

If you had the funds, what would you enhance?
Gavin said she would support full-day kindergarten.

Why are you qualified to run for the Board of Education? 
Gavin was asked specifically about her qualifications to run since she has only moved to the district recently and her daughter is not yet school-aged. “I don’t think that just going to every meeting makes you qualified,” she responded, adding that her 11 years of teaching experience counts. “I think I have more experience in education than others who have questioned my experience.”

How should technology be used?
Gavin said that she supports smart boards and net books but stressed the need for accompanying professional development.

If LIPA wins its tax certiairi lawsuit against the Town of Huntington, and the district loses $25 million, how would you handle it?
Gavin said the district would need to be more creative, citing the need to explore grant opportunities and legislative assistance. “It would be time to think out of the box.”

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. Gavin said she hadn’t received much information about the event in advance.

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.

Gavin said she is in favor of the amendment.

The Vote
Residents can cast their votes on the budget, Proposition 2 — replacement of the boilers and associated mechanical systems at the 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