The Malverne and West Hempstead school districts will have a school board election and budget vote on May 20. The Herald spoke with candidates running for the school boards in both districts to learn about their plans for the 2025-26 school year.
There are three candidates running for the Malverne school district’s board of education, with only two seats available. Candidates joined the NAACP of Lakeview for a candidate forum on April 22 to discuss their platforms.
Malverne’s school board candidate and budget vote will be held on May 20 in the Howard T. Herber Middle School gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nicole Henderson, a resident of Lakeview, has served on Malverne’s board of education since 2021 and currently holds the title of second vice president. She has one child in the school district and works in child welfare as a psychotherapist and works as a district social worker in a nearby school.
“One of the reasons I ran for school board was simply because as a new parent, I felt that there was a disconnect, and I wanted to make sure that there was representation from all the schools. So continuing to make sure we bridge that gap, continuing to make sure that all concerns are met from every school, every point of view, every aspect,” said Henderson. “I need to also make sure that all of our Lakeview students that go to the district, make sure that there’s representation, that we are spending time in Lakeview, we are coming out to Lakeview, that Lakeview students and their needs are being addressed and not forgotten.”
Kathleen Nolan-Kasal, has served on Malverne’s board of education for four years and currently hold the position of vice president. Nolan-Kasal, a public school teacher, lives in Malverne and has two children in the district.
“My vision for the school board is to continue the work that we have been doing, as I’ve been doing as a member of this school board,” said Nolan-Kasal. “Some of the goals that I wish to continue working on is increasing communication between residents, families and schools. I also would like to see greater input from parents and students. Also, increasing the opportunities we are able to give our students as far as career and college readiness.”
Kellie Ramsey, a resident of the village of Malverne, has two children who graduated from the district. Ramsey works as the director of student support services and compliance in another school district, meaning she oversees her districts compliance with government regulations and laws while also managing programs that support students in the learning environment.
“It’s really important for my vision that we are a district that’s able to embrace all students and help develop, culture and nurture the navigational capital of our school community,” said Ramsey. “The world is changing, we know that, we have AI and all these other things that are coming. It’s not gonna be the same. We have to be able to make that mind shift as a board and be able to realize what we need to do to help our children adapt and flourish in a new society that’s coming around the corner?”
There are four candidates running for the Board of Education in West Hempstead. Burt Blass, who was elected to the board in 2022, is not running for his seat on the board.
The West Hempstead school board candidate and budget vote will be held on May 20 in the West Hempstead Secondary School’s north gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Karen Brohm, a communications bureau director with the Nassau County Police Department, has served on the board since 2012 and currently acts as board president. Brohm is a lifelong West Hempstead resident, she attended West Hempstead’s school and sent her children to the district. Prior to joining the board, Brohm was co-president of the PTA and has always stressed her focus on doing what is best for the children. “I continue to do this because it’s important to me,” said Brohm. “Especially after all these years working with the administrators, the district, and the community. I feel like I still have something I can offer them.”
Brohm is a lifelong West Hempstead resident, she attended West Hempstead’s school and sent her children to the district. Prior to joining the board, Brohm was co-president of the PTA and has always stressed her focus on doing what is best for the children. “I find this work to be very important,” she added. “I want to make sure all of our students are getting a fair, well-rounded education while still maintaining stability for the stakeholders and fiscal responsibility.”
Alan Skorski, a West Hempstead resident of over 30 years, works in the confectionary industry and is running for a position on the board. Skorski’s children attended the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in West Hemsptead. In 2020, Skorski ran for a seat on the school board but lost.
“My primary focus is to try and be a bridge between the district and the orthodox community,” Skorski said. “I’ll work to make West Hempstead a more cohesive school district, because we have different communities who may have different interests or needs. My function will basically be to bring both communities together, where everyone can work as one cohesive unit.”
Jeanine Gallina is a public educator with 30 years of experience and has been a West Hempstead resident since 2008. Gallina has a child currently attending West Hempstead Secondary School.
“I’m worried about our school district not having the funds it needs and dipping into reserves and things like that,” said Gallina. “But I’m also very proud of the work that West Hempstead does. So I would like to see that programs continue in the district and work for all the children, helping them get their needs and services met.”
“I really love West Hempstead,” she added. “I want to see the school succeed and I want all of our children to succeed.”
Byars Cole, a senior client director with information technology company Virtusa, is also running for re-election. Cole, who did not respond to a request for comment, was originally appointed to the board as a trustee in 2017 and served until his term ended in 2019, taking a brief break before returning to the role in 2022.
When asked about why he chose to return to the school board, in 2022 Cole said, “They needed people to serve. I believe in public service. I believe in public education. I’ve got an investment in this community as an 18-year community member. I’ve had two children go through the public schools. I’ve had one go through the private school system. So I was happy to step up.”