Seaford School Board Candidate Profile: Susan Ruona

Seaford resident Susan Ruona is running unopposed in the 2012-13 school board election with hopes of providing a better educational atmosphere for the students of the community.

"I believe the district can do better for the students," said Ruona, who also ran for school board in 2010. "I have not always been in agreement with the decision past boards have made regarding program cuts and priorities in spending."

Ruona is running unopposed for the Seaford school board along with current trustee . The top vote-getter between Ruona and Wink will receive a full three-year seat on the board with the second place finisher filling out the remaining year of John DelGuidice's unexpired term. 

After the proposed 2011-12 budget , the Seaford School District was forced to go with , a move that Ruona feels absolutely can't be repeated in the upcoming year.

"The biggest issue facing the district is the need to get off the contingency budget," she explained. "Restoring educational programs is essential for both the good of the students and the community. Another year on a contingency budget would be devastating to both."

In Ruona's opinion, another vital issue Seaford must tackle in the next year is the negotiations with district unions.

"I hope to be a part of a board that can successfully negotiate contracts that result in some savings for the district so programs and teaching positions can be restored," Ruona said. "The 2 percent tax cap helped to keep certain spending limits in place...but it did, in my opinion, prevent programs from being restored."

The Seaford school board race and budget vote will be held this Tuesday, May 15 from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. at  and .

To read a profile on the other Seaford school board candidate, Jeanmarie Wink, click .