Three seats are open on the Smithtown Central School District’s (CSD) Board of Education (BoE) for the Tuesday, May 20, election.
The seats currently held by Michael Catalanotto and Michael Saidens are term-limited. John Savoretti, who was elected in 2021, resigned earlier this year. An effective special election will coincide to fill the one year remaining on his term.
Two teams of three are running in the nonpartisan race to fill the open seats.
The board is currently composed of Catalanotto, who serves as Board President, Saidens, Matthew Gribbin (term expiring in 2026), Kevin Craine (2026), Emily Cianci (2027), and Dana Fritch (2027).
Fritch and Cianci ran in last year’s election that ousted 2021-elected Stacy Ann Murphy and Karen Wontrobski-Ricciardi, who served as Board President and Vice President, respectively. They, along with the retention of Savoretti and election of Craine in 2023, flipped control of the board to representatives not endorsed by the teacher’s unions.
Wontrobski-Ricciardi is staging a political comeback in the district, while retired police officer Mike Simonelli is taking another run at public office after running on the Conservative line against Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) in 2021. The slate also brings newcomer Al Carfora.
The opposing slate of three includes Bernadette Ackerman, Theresa Donohue, and Brandon Solomon.
All six candidates submitted letters to the editor for this week’s edition of The Messenger. We’ll be watching these races and look forward to sitting down with the candidates in the coming weeks before the election.
Karen Wontrobski-Ricciardi
Dear Editor,
If you pass by any building in the Smithtown School District, you’ll notice a large banner with the heading “The Smithtown Promise.” Take a moment to read the five bullet points listed underneath. While they reflect admirable goals, it’s surprising that none of them directly mention education. In fact, the district’s lack of emphasis on academic achievement has become increasingly evident.
According to data available on the NYSED website, since the 2018–2019 school year, proficiency scores in elementary-level ELA, math, and science have declined. Similarly, Regents exam scores in Algebra I, Algebra II, Earth Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics have also seen a downward trend. Even more concerning, the number of students scoring at the lowest level—Level 1—has risen.
We are also witnessing fewer students gaining admission to top-tier universities, a reflection of a broader academic decline. For families seeking a strong, well-rounded curriculum in math, science, and English, Smithtown is no longer delivering the education they expect.
Ideological frameworks like DEI and CRT are not just abstract concepts—they have become central to the district’s focus, shifting attention away from academic fundamentals. While fostering inclusivity and equity is important, it cannot come at the expense of educational excellence.
We owe it to our students to provide them with a rigorous academic foundation that prepares them not just for college or careers, but for whatever path they choose in life. It’s time to realign our priorities and refocus on what matters most: education.
Sincerely,
Karen Wontrobski-Ricciardi
St. James
Al Carfora
Dear Editor,
At the April 23 Smithtown Central School District Board of Education meeting, one thing was crystal clear: we need real change.
As someone who works in construction and estimating, I was shocked at the board’s lack of knowledge on major issues like the central air proposal and suspected mold in our schools. Not one board member has expertise in buildings or trades—yet this is where a huge part of our budget goes.
They’re talking about a climate study to justify AC, but that sounds more like political theater than practical decision-making. Meanwhile, when asked about potential mold, the superintendent claimed there was “no mold”—yet no surface samples were taken from HVAC registers, just air samples taken under poor conditions. As any pro knows, that’s not how you get accurate results.
Where is the certified hygienist report? Why the lack of transparency? Why mock concerned parents instead of providing proof?
And after a forty-minute filibuster about how “great” the schools are doing, not one board member asked a single follow-up. That’s not leadership—that’s a rubber stamp.
We need accountability, expertise, and transparency. It’s time for new leadership. Our kids deserve better.
Vote Riccardi-Carfora-Simonelli for Smithtown Central School District Board of Education, May 20.
Sincerely,
Al Carfora
Smithtown
Mike Simonelli
Dear Editor,
The issue of accountability in local government is important to me as a retired Suffolk County Police Officer, veteran and – when it comes to education – as a parent.
In the past year alone, Albany has made numerous attempts to curtail local control and cut foundation aid for the Smithtown Central School District. While districts fought against Hochul’s incursions into local control, our board remained quiet.
While senior administrators and elected board members fought to protect our students from cuts to foundation aid, the Smithtown Central School District was silent.
We have Cold Spring Harbor, Mt. Sinai, Port Jefferson, Three Village, Bayport-Blue Point, and a host of other districts to thank for leading the charge against changes to Foundation Aid from New York State—not our own elected members, not our administrators.
Board members certainly don’t set state policy, but they can advocate for it. When our board fails to speak up or does so timidly, it sends a message to Albany that the nearly 8,000 students and their families are okay with fewer resources.
I ask the community. Are you okay with cuts to education from Albany that would raise your property taxes? Are you okay with your school being regionalized? I am not. We deserve a board in Smithtown that can say so.
I will fight incursions and cuts from Albany. Vote for a ticket accountable to the students and families of Smithtown.
Sincerely,
Michael Simonelli
St. James
Bernadette Ackerman
Dear Editor,
I’ve proudly called Nesconset home for the past 22 years. Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Marketing for a global software company, bringing over 30 years of experience in strategic communications and fiscal oversight. Throughout my career, I’ve led large-scale initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, always with a strong focus on accountability and clarity.
Community involvement has always been important to me. I served as PTA President at Tackan Elementary, spent years as a class mom, and founded the “Nesconset, Smithtown, St. James Freecycle” Facebook group, which now connects over 12,000 neighbors through simple acts of kindness. As the mother of three Smithtown graduates, I’ve seen firsthand what our schools need to support students, staff, and families. If elected, I will prioritize academic achievement, school safety, staff support, and responsible budgeting to ensure long-term educational excellence and community trust.
Sincerely,
Bernadette Ackerman
Nesconset
Theresa Donohue
I am a lifelong resident of St. James and have spent the past 23 years serving in public education- as a classroom teacher, building administrator, district leader, and central office executive. I hold professional certifications in both Building and District Administration and a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies, which have given me a comprehensive understanding of how to support students and staff at every level of the educational system. In addition to my work in schools, I’m deeply committed to our community. I’m an active member of the Smithtown East Football Touchdown Club, a longtime leader with Boy Scout Troop 7, and a former EMT-D with the St. James Fire Department. I’m running for the Board of Education to ensure all students reach their full academic potential, to strengthen communication between schools and families, to advocate for safe and modern facilities, and to safeguard our community’s financial resources through thoughtful and responsible planning.
Sincerely,
Theresa Donohue
St. James
Brandon Solomon
Dear Editor,
For the past 13 years, Smithtown has been home to my wife, our twin daughters, and me. My wife is a proud Smithtown educator, and our daughters attend Smithtown schools. As a project manager in the real estate and construction industry, I oversee large-scale residential and commercial projects and manage multimillion-dollar budgets—some exceeding $70 million. I’m also an engaged member of the school community. I regularly attend Board of Education meetings, serve as a PTA council delegate, participate on site-based teams, and volunteer as a class parent. I’m running for the Board to create future-ready learning environments, strengthen the partnership between schools and families, support academic excellence for all students, and ensure that every decision is made with fiscal responsibility and long-term community impact in mind.
Sincerely,
Brandon Solomon
Smithtown
(Left to right) Ackerman, Donohue, Solomon (Credit – focusonsmithtown.com)
