I am voting for David Keefe for Board of Education Trustee in the East Williston School District.

I have lived in East Williston since 2001 and, because I am an educator, I immediately began going to BOE meetings. Throughout the years, I have found that Dave Keefe has demonstrated over and over that he is an exemplary member of this school board. Dave himself was an educator for 38 years. His children all attended the East Williston Schools, as did his grandchildren, and he has a grandson graduating this year.

Dave has served this district as a board member for 12 years, but he has served our community for so many years more than that.

He brings to the board not only his educational expertise but also his experience serving on various New York state educational task forces, committees, and study groups in Albany. He also has served on various board positions for the National Council of Teacher Retirement.

Dave comes to the board with core beliefs but knows that to do the job well there needs to be consensus, so he is always ready to listen as well as share. He is not a single-issue candidate with a political agenda. He knows that this a complex role that requires an extensive amount of time and he is always up for the work.

Dave Keefe is the expert on education and continues to advocate for every child while balancing his fiduciary responsibilities to the community. At board meetings, I am always impressed with his thoughtful questions on the many controversial topics that arise. But most importantly, I have come to know Dave as a dedicated man, with a level of honesty and integrity that is not to be matched.

These are my reasons to support Dave in this election, and I hope you will too on Tues., May 17. Our children and our community deserve a BOE member who knows the seriousness of the job and that is Dave!

Christine Cozzolino
East Williston