Vote the Rock
Making a Difference
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Proudly and humbly served on the Board of Education since 2019
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20 years experience in education field/ practice of education law- uniquely suited
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Background in education, with certification focus in elementary education
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Parent of three young children
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Invested long-term
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Fiscal reasonability to all members of our diverse community
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For ALL children- Student Centered
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Education of whole child
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Actively listen and consider all input
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Informed and reasoned decisions
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Encouraged, access, communication and partnership with key stakeholders, including parents
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Accountability
Why Vote Tara Rock
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My background and experience makes me uniquely suited to be a valuable member of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Board of Education.
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I have been engaged for over 20 years in education and have over 15 years of experience practicing education law, with a long history of representing boards of education across Long Island. I have seen many of the issues that come before boards of education and communities across our island.
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I have an education background and I am the parent of three young children, all with different needs and learning profiles and I strongly believe in educating the whole child.
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Like you, I am a tax payer and want to see that our money is being spent judiciously and that informed decisions are being made.
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I am an invested member of our community and want to see all of our children succeed, while remaining fiscally responsible to all members of our community.
I believe that as a community and a school district, we must actively remain abreast of all social, emotional, behavioral and academic developments and strive to improve our system and our delivery of instruction for the benefit of our children and our future. As elected officials, we must fulfill our fiduciary duties. We must remain open to public comment and ensure that the voice of the people we have been elected to serve is taken into consideration, when making decisions for the benefit of our children, our teachers, assistants and staff and our community.
About Me -Tara Rock
I have been a proud to be a resident of Plainview-Old Bethpage and to be raising my three children Ariella, Mikalya and Gabrielle here. My investment is not just short-term- I am in this for the long-run.
I have had the honor and privilege of representing our community over the last three years as a member of the Board of Education. I have practiced education law for over 18 years, representing boards of education across Long Island, in both Nassau and Suffolk counties and institutions of higher education. I have a background in education, with a certification focus in elementary education. As a result of my experience not only do I have a full understanding of the issues facing our schools, students, teachers, staff, administrators and the general community, but I have also seen the effects that various decisions by boards of education across the State have had in all of these areas.
I firmly believe that education is one of the most important and powerful tools we can give our children. I am invested in our children and their future and I want to see continued positive growth that will benefit not just children from any one subset or another, but all of our children. I want to work to ensure that our District continues to move forward in a positive direction and to ensure that the BOE continues to serve the community and children that they are elected to represent. Three years ago, I raised the anticipated changes in leadership (for example, retirement of our Superintendent and Director of PPS & Special Education). Over the last three years, we have seen many changes in leadership including a new Superintendent of Schools, new Principals/Assistant Principals, a new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, a new District-wide World Language Chairperson, a new District-wide Math Chairperson, a new Director of Special Education, a new District-wide Director of Technology and a new Assistant Superintendent for Business (beginning in July). With these changes in place, it is important to ensure we are self-reflective and continue to grow, inspire and progress in the right direction.
It is my intention to continue to encourage strengthening the communication between parents, administrators and members of the Board of Education, empower the parents in our community and continue to encourage them to make sure their voices are heard and considered and continue to see that the Board remains accountable to community it serves. I listen with an open mind, encourage the free exchange of ideas and different viewpoints and always strive to ensure that I am making informed decisions.
My experience over the last 20 years, including my role as trustee on the Board of Education, my representation of boards of education across Long Island and in higher education has provided me with a unique insight into all issues brought before the Board of Education and how they impact students after high school. I fully understand the fiduciary duties a Board Member has to the community and to the children in the District. I continue to bring a fresh perspective and dialogue to the Board, not just with new eyes, but with experienced ones. My continued goal is to balance fiscal responsibility with the health, safety, wellbeing and success of all our children and always consider the input of those willing to share.
Why Your Vote Counts
May 17, 2022
Election & Budget Vote
The Board of Education is an important body of elected officials charged with the fiduciary duty to make decisions for the District. This includes working alongside Administration to ensure that the budget of over $174 Million Dollars is being used and invested wisely in light of competing interests.
Generally, the school cannot take any action unless that action is voted upon and approved by the Board of Education. This includes the negotiation and approval of all contracts, including collective bargaining agreements with relevant Unions, contracts for the education of our students and community, and decisions such as the hiring and appointment of employees, including, the Superintendent of School.
Importantly, the Board of Education is also charged with the duty to create policies for the District, to be implemented by Administration and teachers.
It is vital to vote for someone with experience, who is reflective, who is a problem solver, who will make informed decisions, who will be able to ask important questions of the experts running our schools, who is able to work cooperatively alongside all stakeholders and who you are confident is invested in the success of our schools now, and into the future.
I am that candidate and I am uniquely suited to continue to provide a fresh forward thinking and reflective voice and experienced perspective.
ISSUES OF PRIORITY
Educating Students
The Stakes Are High
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Education of the whole child, with a focus on their growth not only academically, but socially, emotionally, behaviorally
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Preparation of our students for success both during their K-12 education and after, with focus on executive functioning, study, organizational and time management and coping skills to better prepare them for their future
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Staying abreast of new developments with regard to programs in areas of need
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Continue to provide new learning opportunities for all students at each level and consider equities among buildings
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Continue to identify and track student issues early on and provide support to students who need it
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Provide multisensory learning opportunities and differentiated instruction to all students and allow teachers the freedom to use multiple methods of assessment of acquisition of knowledge and skill
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Continue to work to ensure the physical safety of our children and employees and the visitors to our schools and events
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Work to maintain equitable education and extra-curricular opportunities for all students in the District and maintain class size to ensure manageable learning environment
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Provide an emotionally and physically safe and effective learning environment
Fiscal Responsibility
For a Brighter Future
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The POB community invests over $150 million annually ($174 million this year) in our schools - this requires hard decisions among competing interests, which should be informed and all input should be considered
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The academic, social, emotional, management and extra-curricular needs of all our students must be considered when creating the budget
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The use of facilities by groups and members of our community should be taken into account
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The development of our budget must take into account the financial burden on members of our community, including those with fixed incomes and the seemingly ever increasing cost of residing here
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The Board must be forward thinking when reviewing the budget and approving it for submission, taking into account aid, unfunded/underfunded mandates, safety concerns and necessities for the District's schools and scholastic, national, local and student trends
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Effective forward fiscal planning takes into account anticipated needs of our students and regular programmatic reviews
Strengthening Communication
Teamwork & Accountability
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Continue work toward bridging communication gaps between stakeholders and increase communication on consideration of important and potentially polarizing community issues
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Consider input provided by members of the community before making determinations
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Continue to promote reflection and growth - lead by example
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Continue to work toward fostering an environment where members of the community feel they have a voice and their voice is considered
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Continue to work toward fostering a partnership between the school and parents
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Collaborate, listen and work together to solve issues and make informed decisions
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Continued efforts in recognition and implementation of the idea that communication is the key to success
Become a Partner
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I know how involved the parents in our community are and that our residents care about our schools. Based upon attendance at Board meetings, views of live streamed meetings, involvement over the last three years and statements made during community forums held over the years, and the response rate for newly implemented surveys, when the community is made aware of issues that arise, people in our community want a voice and want their voice to be heard. Voting in this upcoming election is just one step toward making sure you have that opportunity.
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The turn out for the 2019 election was impressive and I am honored to have been elected to represent you as a Trustee for the POB School District- YOU made that happen! I can't do this without you- Please help me to continue to serve you in this role- There are five candidates running for three seats on the Board of Education. The top three candidates with the highest number of votes on 5/17 will have a seat. I humbly ask for your vote and your help and invaluable support again so that I can continue to work to represent you for the benefit of our community and our children.
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I truly appreciate those who have reached out to me over the years about different issues, with varying viewpoints and experiences- all of this helps to inform my thought process. I continue to encourage you to share your thoughts, experiences and views with me and to provide your input to the District through a variety of channels including public participation, ask the superintendent, surveys, calls, letters and emails. I continue to value your input and ask that you continue to keep the lines of communication open and please remember to vote on 5/17 to re-elect Tara Rock and for the 22/23 budget.
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Proposition II which will be presented to the voters on May 17th requests authorization to expend $4.3 million from the 2017 Capital Reserve Fund to address necessary building renovations including HVAC improvements, reconstruction of the HS and POBMS kitchen and serving areas, HS roof replacement and District-wide restroom reconstruction. You can view a copy of the presentation made to the Board here:
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Proposition III which will be presented to the voters on May 17th, requests that the voters authorize the creation of a new Capital Reserve Fund to allow the community to reinvest in our facilities and school community over time (7 year period). The purpose of this fund is to enable the District to address the recommendations made in the recent building condition survey, which identified over $31 million in projects needed to preserve facilities and update original infrastructure to our buildings all of which are over 55 years old, and to allow us to fund additional capital improvements to all of our facilities. Putting money into (funding) and spending money from this Capital Reserve Fund will require separate additional voter approval. You can review a copy of the presentation made to the Board here:
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The proposed budget that will be put before you on May 17th to vote was also recently amended to include an additional groundsperson, a MATH AIS program, additional full-time teaching/service provider positions should a need arise due to size or additional student needs, a new pathway for Career and Technical Education and the construction of a "comfort station" (restrooms, storage and concession stand area) at the HS field, Budget Presentations made to the Board and community can be reviewed here:
Come out and vote on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 and make your voice heard!
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
VOTE THE ROCK
Get Involved
Your Input is Valuable
Make Your Voice Heard
Voting Date
Tuesday
May 17, 2022
6 AM- 9 PM
Make Sure You Go to The Right Polling Place
Two Polling Places
Jamaica Avenue School
85 Jamaica Avenue
Plainview, N.Y. 11803
Mattlin Middle School
100 Washington Avenue
Plainview, N.Y. 11803
Can't Make it in Person?
Absentee Ballots
Available for residents who will not be able to physically vote in person on
May 17 (including those with physical difficulties or health conditions, college students and adult children who still have a permanent residence in POB)
Applications may be obtained from District's website by clicking the button below
or contacting Ms. Jeanne Tyler, District Clerk.
Ms. Jeanne Tyler, District Clerk
Phone: 1-516-434-3000
e-mail: jtyler@pobschools.org
Applications for an Absentee Ballot must be obtained by Ms. Tyler:
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7 days before the vote if the ballot is to be mailed
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1 day before the vote if the ballot will be personally delivered (picked up)
All Absentee Ballots Must Be Received by Ms. Tyler by 5:00 pm on May 17th
Please Make Sure You Follow All Directions on the Ballot and ask Ms. Tyler if You Have Any Questions!
Not Sure Where to Vote?
Find your polling place here:
Can I Vote?
If you voted in an election in the last four (4) calendar years at your current address, you are eligible to vote in this election.
If you are not sure, and wish to check, you can do so yourself by clicking
You may also contact the District Clerk, Jeanne Tyler.
If you know you are not registered, please register to vote. Any questions with regard to the process can be directed to Ms. Tyler.
The Board of Registration will meet on
May 10, 2022 between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Jamaica Avenue school and the Administrative Offices at Mattlin Middle School
for purposes of registering all qualified voters in the District to vote in the upcoming vote and election.
