Dana Fritch – Smithtown School Board
Residence: Smithtown hamlet
Profession: Secondary Social Studies Teachers
Previous Elected Office: None
Position Sought: Smithtown CSD Trustee
Dana Fritch is challenging the incumbents alongside Emily Ciani for two seats on the Smithtown CSD School Board. Dana Fritch sat down with The Messenger for the purpose of this candidate profile.
Editor’s Note: The position of President itself is not on the ballot. Only numerical seats are up for election. The President and Vice President of the board are selected by the board members once the members are seated at the beginning of the term following the election.
Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for a position on the School Board?
A: I have a Masters Degree in Secondary Social Studies Education from LIU and a Masters Degree in Global Affairs from NYU. I have been teaching high school social studies in another district on Long Island for the past twenty years and I have two elementary age children that attend Smithtown Schools. I am an active member of the Accompsett Elementary PTA and also one of the leaders of my daughter’s Girl Scout troop and work with other troops in Smithtown on collaborated events and projects.
With a background in public education, I understand New York State standards. Every day, I see firsthand the urgent issues affecting students, including an increase in mental health challenges, academic pressures, and the effects of bullying. I have experience collaborating with co-teachers, staff, administrators, and parents. I’ve always emphasized the importance of civics and community involvement in my teaching and believe that my active engagement in my community has equipped me to effectively collaborate and understand the perspectives of various stakeholders. These skills will serve me well as a potential Board member in working with other trustees, community members, administrators and teachers and staff to make the best decisions for our students.
Q: In your opinion, what is the top issue facing the Smithtown Central School District today?
A: One of the main reasons I decided to run for this position was due to growing concerns about multiple anti-semitic and other hate-related graffiti being found in Smithtown School buildings. After each incident, our Superintendent Dr. Secaur notifies parents and reports it to the Suffolk County Police Department. However, after attending Smithtown Board meetings, I am disappointed that this issue wasn’t being discussed regularly. I find that unacceptable. I believe issues like this, along with bullying concerns should be prioritized by the Smithtown Board of Education. I believe that a thoughtful, enhanced approach is necessary and that it’s crucial to involve parents and the broader community to effectively address these issues head on. We cannot allow the Smithtown community to become desensitized from this incredibly important issue.
Q: Specifically, what is your top priority if elected to the Board?
A: I would like to help restore the Smithtown Board of Education to one that focuses on addressing school concerns and working towards the betterment of the district instead of internal arguing and internal investigations. We need trustees that are open-minded, willing to listen to input from all the stakeholders, but also be willing to compromise. The ability to work together needs to be established in order for our district to tackle the most important issues facing our children.
Q: What would you say is your best or proudest accomplishment in your professional career?
A: I come from a family of teachers and being an educator for twenty years has been in itself my proudest accomplishment. It is my privilege to witness kids grow, learn, develop their ideas, and establish a sense of self. Watching their confidence soar as they reach their academic potential is what makes my job so rewarding.
Q: What is your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic, or a figure you find particularly inspiring?
A: My father is a retired English teacher and my mother is a retired art teacher so their work ethic and passion for education certainly had a big influence on me. They instilled in me an appreciation for the humanities and a love for learning itself, showing me the invaluable role of teacher. I draw my inspiration and motivations to be the teacher I am from their examples often.
Q: What are your favorite ways of connecting with your community?
A: As a social studies teacher I have a passion for community involvement and teach the importance of civics to my students. I also encourage my own children to be upstanders and leaders in the world. I thrive on making connections with people which is why I’ve always enjoyed volunteering. I have met so many wonderful Smithtown families from my involvement with the Accompsett PTA, working with parents within Girl Scouts and having our scouts volunteer in events like singing at local assisted living homes or collecting socks for the homeless. I enjoy partaking in community events with my family such as the Polar Plunge hosted by the Smithtown Children’s Foundation.
My husband and I have lived in Smithtown for ten years and feel that is a wonderful place to raise our two children. If elected to the Smithtown Board of Education, it would be my honor to serve the community that
I call home.
Emily Cianci – Smithtown School Board
Residence: Nesconset
Occupation: Attorney
Previous Elected Office: None
Position Sought: Smithtown CSD Trustee
Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for a position on the School Board?
A: I work as a principal appellate court attorney at one of our New York State appeals courts, preparing confidential reports for the judges who will hear and decide the appeals. My work requires me to gather relevant information and to analyze it fairly and objectively before making a decision, to be an effective communicator, to respect and maintain confidentiality, and to work collegially with others, even if we disagree, all of which I believe would serve me well as a Board of Education trustee.
Q: In your opinion, what is the top issue facing the Smithtown Central School District today?
A: One of the top issues facing our District today is a lack of communication and collaboration. With the exception of one new trustee this past year, the current Board has been together for three years, and dysfunction and animosity persist. It is not a good look for the District, and does a disservice to all of our stakeholders, especially our students. The Board must return its constant focus to the betterment of our students and schools rather than infighting, costly internal investigations, and personal agendas.
The Board also must do a better job engaging all stakeholders, always actively seeking their input, ideas, and feedback before making critical decisions impacting our schools. The Board should consider conducting office hours, having student representatives to the Board, and holding some Board meetings in our school buildings to make more personal connections with students, families, and staff and to foster a sense of community.
Board members do not have to agree with each other or any of the various stakeholders about everything. Disagreement can spark curiosity, conversation, and positive change. But first you have to be willing to talk and listen to people who disagree with you and at least attempt to find common ground, keeping in mind we all want what is best for our students and schools.
Q: What is your top priority if elected to the Board?
A: My top priority if elected is to continue increasing and enhancing educational opportunities for our students across all levels of learning while remaining fiscally responsible to our taxpayers and keeping our facilities in good repair. As we continue to grow the middle school honors program, our elementary students also would benefit from more enrichment opportunities, including foreign language curriculum for all. We should further tap into our vast alumni network for additional career path exploration and internship opportunities for our high school students. We must improve the educational outcomes of our special education and underserved students. All of our students would benefit from improved written and oral communication skills, better interpersonal skills in this increasingly digital world, and financial literacy curriculum.
Also, the Board must do more to address the marked increase in antisemitic and racist behavior that we have seen in our schools this past year. There must be consistent, public follow up and accountability from the Board as to what the District is doing and what more it can do to address these issues. We should form an anti-bullying/hate task force comprised of board members, administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members, as we all have a role to play in creating a welcoming and safe school environment. Potential educational programs put forth by the District, such as having first and second generation Holocaust survivors speak to students and a multi-faith forum during the school day, should be made available to the wider community, so that students, parents, and neighbors can jointly benefit from such experiences and hopefully continue these important conversations outside of school.
Q: What would you say is your best or proudest accomplishment in your professional career?
A: I have worked in public service as an attorney with the New York State court system for almost seventeen years. I am proud to play a part in dispensing justice to the people of our state.
Q: What is your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic, or a figure you find inspiring?
A: Growing up, my mother served as PTA President at Nesconset Elementary and later Tackan Elementary. She also served as my Girl Scout Troop leader and volunteered at our local parish. She has been a role model to me regarding the importance of giving back to the community and helping others in need. Most importantly, she instilled in me the importance of the Golden Rule- always treat others as you would want to be treated.
Q: What are your favorite ways of connecting with your community?
A: I have lived in Smithtown most of my life. I am a proud graduate of Smithtown public schools. My husband and I have two children who attend Tackan Elementary, where I am an active PTA member and have served as class parent for each of them. My husband has served as coach and assistant coach for various local athletic teams. These activities have allowed us both to form personal connections with many children, parents, and community members in the District and to set an example for our children regarding the importance of volunteerism. It would be my privilege to serve on the Smithtown Board of Education and to help ensure the District’s continued success.
