BOE Candidate: Sal Tripi

If you're new to the Sachem community or perhaps this is your first Board of Education election, board trustee incumbent Sal Tripi is running uncontested for re-election to the Sachem School Board. We provided Tripi with a host of questions that will help you get to know this member of the board a little more. 

Name: Sal Tripi
Originally From: Brentwood, graduated Brentwood HS; Class of 1984.
BOE Member Since: 2007
Running for: 3rd consecutive term

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

Sal Tripi: Trying to maintain fiscal responsibility while maintaining a rigorous and challenging program. I think overall we have done a good job as our average tax increase over the last 7 years is 1.9% including this years 7.49% and we still offer a program we can be proud of.

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

Tripi: I think the rally in March was a great achievement not because of what occurred on that one day because it was a true celebration of what we are about. We saw over 1500 people come out to support the district and our kids and celebrate the program that we offer. 

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

Tripi: This will be an ongoing challenge until the economy turns. It is not realistic to think the local tax payers can absorb the increasing costs  of unfunded mandates. Over the years, we have had to absorb millions of incremental costs in unfunded mandates while the state has cut our aid. We need to continue to work with our local officials, who have been very supportive, especially Lee Zelden, Al Graf and John Flannigan in order to make sure Sachem does not continue to come up on the short end again.

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

Tripi: I would love to see us restore some of the programs that we had to cut in the past. I think we need to increase the focus on middle school Math and English in order to make sure we are appropriately prepare our students for the rigors of HS. Maintaining the music and arts programs is very important to me.  Also, I would love to see our middle school athletics program enhanced to reinstate some of the reductions made several years ago.

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

Tripi: Unfortunately the state limits what we can do. We are looking at some additional revenue streams including selling of district owned property, primarily 245 Union Ave. One thing to keep in mind is this only provides a one shot revenue stream. While we certainly need the money, this is not a fix for our long term issues. We are always looking at field usage, childcare, etc.

SP: What message would you like the community to take into the voting booth on May 21? 

Tripi: I hope the community looks not only at this year but our track record. If you compare Sachem to the surrounding districts you will note that over the last 7 years we have had the lowest average tax increase by far. A few years ago we lost $16 million dollars in state aid. Over the last few years we used all of our available reserves to make up the difference. We were told that our aid would be restored. While the state restored aid to other districts they did not restore Sachems aid. We are receiving the same level of state aid we did 8 years ago, despite having to absorb millions in costs in unfunded state mandates.  Over the last few years, our teachers have opened their contracts and gave back millions. Our administrators and cabinet members have taken salary freezes. However, even with this we cannot make up for the sustained loss in state aid. Sachem is a great community. I would hate to see the impact on our community and our children if we had to make the cuts that would be necessary if the budget fails. It would affect our students, our property values and our community in a way that will take years and years to reverse.

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