Candidate Spotlight: Christine Rignola

Christine Rignola is a Patchogue-Medford School Board of Education candidate running for the seat currently occupied by Anthony Russo, who chose not to run. Patch asked Rignola and the other candidates five questions about the Patchogue-Medford School District.

Patch: Why have you chosen to join/continue on the Board of Education?

Rignola: There are many good reasons why I have chosen to join the BOE. I would like to be a part of the BOE because I am passionate about education and I would like to contribute to moving our school district forward. I have a vision and a desire to continue the great things we do, and to change the things that need changing.  I love our schools and our community. I want to contribute my skills, and insights to the community by helping to make decisions using thoughtful, fair, and moral judgement. My main objective, in a nutshell, is to help ensure the mission statement of the district and to preserve the best interests of the children, schools, and community as a whole as well.

Patch: What aspects of your background give you an advantage in being a part of the Board of Education?

Rignola: I have been a parent in this school district since 1996. I fully and truthfully understand first-hand that very few families in our community have money to waste. I would be a thoughtful advocate for our community, while upholding the best interest of our schools.

I have 15 total years of teaching experience; the past eight here in Patchogue-Medford as a substitute teacher. My degrees, certifications, experience, and skills would be an asset to our school board. I am a careful, trustworthy decision-maker and I communicate well. I have been involved in many school activities in various ways. I have been a peer leadership advisor, a girl scout leader, a member of the BOE Legislative, Instructional, and Dignity for all Students Committees, to name just a few. I have attended many meetings and workshops as well. I am an educator who has worked throughout the district and I can see where some of the changes need to be made. I would be a contributor to the BOE as someone who has been “in the trenches” so to speak. I would be making wise decisions based on first-hand knowledge and experience, and an obvious passion for education.

Patch: What is the biggest issue that the Board of Education is going to face in the 2012-2013 school year?

Rignola: We have a number of issues to tackle this year. A huge issue we are facing right now is unfunded mandates. Demands placed on our budget by the state without monetary aid is debilitating to our schools. Our Legislative Committee along with the Board Of Education will be working tirelessly to tackle these issues.

Patch: Patchogue-Medford has suffered a lot of cuts due to state mandates, what kinds of programs would you want to bring back if you could?

Rignola: I would like to address the needs of our entire population by restoring BOCES programs, as well as maintain and possibly add advanced placement classes. I would like to restore some teacher positions to lower class size. It is a very difficult task, but we have the responsibility to do our very best to include the needs and interests of all our children when providing opportunities. I would like to research the possibilities of addressing our sources of energy in our buildings and on our fields as well. I think we can do better. If we look into the alternatives, it may be possible that we can save a sizable amount of money in the long run, and be kinder to the earth for future generations in the process.

Patch: What's one thing about the Patchogue-Medford school district that the public should know more about?

Rignola: Our district has a lot to offer. We have a diversified myriad of talents within our students. We have marvelous athletes, musicians, thespians, scholars, and so forth. We have pride and heart in Pat-Med. I see support in our district to raise our children with a lot of opportunities. We have many resources within our community and our schools. One of my goals is to bring everyone together more often. We are on the right path, and we need to try harder to work as one. Accounting for all of our wonderful resources, we should, and can be, as one unit working together, be so much greater than the sum of all of our parts.