BOE Candidate: Michael Timo

If you're new to the Sachem community or perhaps this is your first Board of Education election, board trustee incumbent Michael Timo is running uncontested for re-election to the Sachem School Board. Last week Patch released a series of questions put to incumbent Sal Tripi, who is also running for re-election tomorrow. We provided Timo with the same questions to help you get to know this member of the board a little more. 

Name: Michael J. Timo
Hometown: Born in Brooklyn. Holbrook resident for 60 years.
Sachem Alum?: Graduated with my wife Patricia from Sachem in 1969
BOE Members Since: 2007.

Sachem Patch (SP): What was the biggest challenge you faced during your current term?

Michael Timo:  In addition to attending and participating at bi-monthly meetings of the Board, I've tried to support as many of the various academic, athletic and extra-curricular events that are held throughout our elementary, middle and high schools.  I've had the pleasure of watching championship football, soccer, softball, volleyball, field hockey, theatrical events, robotic demonstrations, concerts, Honor society inductions, faculty retirements, support staff recognition, graduations, PTA events, GATE nights, SEPTA meetings and many other celebrations. My Dad passed early in this current term so managing our family obligations became my primary obligation. This past year was especially challenging because my Mother at age 92 suffered a severe stroke during the winter and required extensive round the clock care.  Along with other family members we traveled daily to rehabilitation locations and ultimately remodeled her home so she was able to spend her last months surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  My Mom passed on August 18, 2012. Although it was difficult to transition back to business, I'm grateful for all the support I received from my fellow Trustees, Administration, Faculty and so many friends.  We faced unprecedented cuts in State aid and we worked together to present a budget, although not perfect, that assured the continuation of excellence in education and opportunities for all our students to excel. 

SP: What was your proudest moment during this current term?: 

Timo: Every graduation, Honors Society induction, and walk around the track at Sachem North during the American Cancer Society Relay for Life made me proud.  Personally, my involvement with the roof replacement and leak remediation projects at Sachem East were among my most recent memorable contributions as a Trustee.  Along with Trustee Sal Tripi and other members of the Board, we spent countless hours meeting with roofing contractors, architects and engineers up on the roofs at East.  We made solid decisions which mitigated the problems and saved the District millions of dollars.  Being available for hands on inspections and attendance at construction meetings enabled us to see problems, discuss solutions and approve needed repairs.  

SP: How would you continue to improve the quality of Education at Sachem in the next term in light of decreasing State aid?: 

Timo: First of all, I refuse to accept that Sachem will continue to be shortchanged in future State aid allocations. We will aggressively lobby our elected representatives in Albany to attempt to reinstate the aid that the Sachem School District and our residents deserve.  We have disproportionately lost State aid in comparison to other Suffolk and New York State Districts.  This loss of funding impacts all areas of education.  I believe however, that the Board, in conjunction with our Administrators, Teachers and Staff have worked diligently to provide an educational experience for our students which rates among the highest for a school district of our size.  We will continue to provide a quality education to our students and strive for continued excellence. 

SP: What projects or initiatives would you like to see Sachem begin in the new term?: 

Timo: My major focus is on the upcoming budget year.  Although I would like to see the restoration of advanced curriculum and extracurricular activates which were lost in prior years, I'm committed to assure that our current programs are supported.  As our financial situation improves, I would like our students to have an opportunity to excel further in the areas of math, science, and technology.  These are among the subject areas needed as we move ahead. 

SP: What other revenue streams do you think the District should look into other than taxes and State aid?:  

Timo: There are currently a number of major construction projects underway in the Townships within the Sachem School District.  Although I reserve support for some of these, the Ronkonkoma Hub project in Brookhaven, and the Islip Pines project, as well as several others will actually add several millions of dollars in tax revenue to our District.  Along with my colleagues on the Board I will work to assure that, if approved, these projects will be assessed to pay their fair share of taxes. We will lobby our elected officials to eliminate tax abatement incentives which could deprive Sachem of the revenue we deserve.  In addition, we should look to additional means to increase revenue including the installation of solar generators  on school roofs where economically  feasible and the continuation of grant solicitation for our special needs population.

SP: What message would you like the Community to take to the voting booth?: 

Timo: My message to the Community is to please keep the needs of our students as the most important issue when deciding whether to support the Budget or not. Trustee elections are important but they are secondary.  We have done our best to listen carefully to our residents and strive to continue providing a quality educational experience to our students, while understanding and trying to be sensitive to the increasing burden we propose to our taxpayers.   I thank you for your understanding of the difficulties we face together and appreciate your serious consideration of the budget we have proposed.

Timo's candidacy will be on the ballot along with the 2013-14 Budget vote on May 21.