Second West Hempstead Dad Considers School Board Run

Another West Hempstead father may be throwing his hat in the race for a seat on his local school board.

Byars Cole, a parent of three students in the West Hempstead public school system (two in elementary school and one in Kindergarten) told Patch that he is considering running in the May 15 election.

“I have a responsibility to contribute wherever I can,” said Cole, who has been regularly attending board meetings and budget workshops since he moved to the district three years ago. His wife, Erin, has also sat on the board’s budget development committee in the past. “There’s a need to always have fresh blood on the board to bring in new and fresh ideas.”

Although Cole, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., who has spent the past 30 years living in the Tri-state area, says his experience with the West Hempstead school district has been “positive” so far, he does see “a lot of room for improvement.”

“We are performing at the medium, mid-range of Nassau County,” he says. “Understanding it is the highest performing county in the State of New York, to say we're average in Nassau County is not saying we're not doing a good job, but I expect excellence out of my schools, my children and myself.”

He’d like to see the district raise students’ expectations, encouraging more of them to take Advanced Placement courses and attend four-year colleges. He also believes in a “holistic approach” to education and having majored in music and theatre as an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi, he is a big supporter of the arts.

“I think these programs are important in making well-rounded citizens,” he said. “I’m also a big believer in sports and athletics…it gives children and the community a sense of spirit and something to rally around.”

While he wouldn’t want to see these programs cut, he does think that in the challenging fiscal climate, the school district does need to “stick with the basics,”  making reading, writing, arithmetic and science top priorities.  “We need to make sure we are exceeding standards in those areas,” Cole says.

Consistent with this goal, Cole thinks the district needs to find ways to fight back against the unfunded mandates, and rising pension and health care costs that continue to “bankrupt the community” without helping its students. “More and more of our money is not going into the classrooms,” Cole says.

Despite the challenges, Cole is optimistic, encouraged by the emphasis New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has put on these issues, which are facing school districts across the state. During his State of the State address last month Cuomo even called for

“It’s an exciting time and opportunity for us,” Cole says. “We are not alone. We don't need to be afraid that this situation is unique to West Hempstead. We all need to work together collectively to find creative solutions to these very hard issues.”

Cole would like to see all options openly discussed in a public forum. “There should be no ‘sacred cows,'’’ he said, adding that while he does not have a position on the much-debated subject of school district consolidation on Long Island, it should be something that is explored along with all other possible alternatives. Also, on the table, says Cole, should be pension percentages and transportation, as the latter costs the district $5 million, roughly 10 percent of its total budget.

“One thing we know is the status quo does not work. It’s not sustainable it’s in everyone’s best interest to come up with some workable solutions,” he said.

If Cole did run he would be vying for one of three seats. Although Vincent Trocchia was appointed to Tony Brita’s seat in September after the board trustee resigned, the remainder of his term will be up for grabs. The positions of long-term board trustees James Mariano or Carole Rilling are also up for election this year. To date, neither has announced if they will be running for re-election. Cole could also be competing with a single father of two who also expressed his desire to run for the board earlier this year.

Cole hasn’t collected any petitions yet or filed any paperwork, but expects to make a decision on his candidacy within the next couple of weeks. “It’s really about trying to balance everything...family, business and any board responsibilities,” says the media and broadcast salesman. “We are all very busy. It’s going to be a time commitment and I want to make sure that I can really serve effectively.”