KINGS PARK – Two candidates are competing for one open seat on the Kings Park Central School District (CSD) Board of Education (BOE).
Election Day is Tuesday, May 19. Polls are open from 6:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. at Kings Park High School, 200 NY-25A.
Gerard Mullaney sat down with The Messenger for this candidate spotlight interview.
Q: What’s your professional background and how does it equip you for the BOE?
A: I’m a retired New York City Firefighter. I had 18 years in the department and retired as a Lieutenant. As a firefighter, you have to be able to be given things and work with them. With the Board, everything is there; I would have to work with it. They have it established a certain way and I can find out how to help the Board and the people of Kings Park. Just like being in the firehouse, if there’s a problem, I’m told that I have to figure it out, bring in the other officers, and figure out solutions to it.
Q: What would be your personal prerogatives if you were elected?
A: There have been some small communication issues from within and dealing with the community outside. They do a good job, but I think they’re missing small things. For example, if you apply for a permit, you don’t hear back from them until the permit is handed to you. Some people say they’d like email back just so they know they sent it to the right person or it’s been received. Other people have said when you email the Board, you never hear back from them until they make a decision. No “thank you’s” or “we’ll get back to you.” Some small communication mishaps that are there.
I also want to stay current with the teachers. Teachers are doing the hard work with the kids. They know more of what the district’s needs are and where to go. Having a good relationship with them will help the Board and the district.
Most of the budget, as I’m told, is going to insurance, which is hard to control. Overall liability insurance is through the roof. The sports are pretty well-set, but all other extracurriculars – music, art, robotics – I’d like to get them more funding, because if anything, I’d like to see more kids spending time after school and pursuing their interests. The more you see, the more you try, and when you get to college, you’ll know what you want to do and how to help people, right from graduating high school.
My biggest impetus for running is that I retired before I wanted to. I have a lot of time, I need to be doing something, and I want to help. I want to try to continue helping the community how I can.
Q: What’s your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: My dad always told me, if you’re going to do a job, do it right. Don’t just say you want to be part of something; be part of it. Go all in.
Q: How do you like to connect with your community?
A: My spare time is spent with my three young kids. My daughter is at Fort Salonga Elementary and competes in cheer. My son is getting into sports, so I’m there to help him. I help coach my nephew’s football team in the Kings Park Youth (KPY) organization. They needed a coordinator, so I’m a football coordinator, setting schedules and helping make the program. I’m very family-oriented; anything I do is with them. My favorite place to eat is Ciro’s when I have some free time. I’m still connected with the fire department and their events.
The Messenger thanks Gerard Mullaney for his time for this interview.
The other candidate in the race is Joshua Cedeno, an eight-year resident of Kings Park who has four children in the district. These details are taken from Cedeno’s bio on the Kings Park Central School District’s website.
Cedeno is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Applied Visions, a Northport-based software engineering firm. He oversees “complex digital infrastructure and data protection strategies.”
He serves as a baseball coach for KPY at the intramural and training levels. He’s also part of Dr. Deerr’s technology committee and provides feedback in the “department’s efforts towards building a secure and robust technological foundation” for the children.
When asked why he wants to serve on the board, Cedeno said, “With children at each level within our district and AI starting to truly disrupt the workforce, the timing feels right. My children give me a ‘boots on the ground’ perspective while my strength in strategic cybersecurity and AI oversight can help the district make the right investments while it prepares our children for life beyond our town.”
If elected, he would prioritize “strategic AI and future-readiness” in studying how AI is “reshaping the workforce” and to “ensure our curriculum remains a smart investment for our students.”
“My priority is to help the district develop a strategy where our students begin to master AI as a tool, and not an academic crutch, ensuring they are prepared to lead in a job market where these technologies may be their primary competition,” said Cedeno.
He’s also prioritizing grand acquisition and “fiscal innovation,” saying that with yearly budget constraints and inflation outpacing the tax cap, the district cannot “solely” rely on “traditional funding.” He’s interested in pursuing grants to “offset the cost of technology, athletic field repair, and the arts” to protect programs. Protecting data privacy of both staff and students accompanies his platform.
“By applying my professional expertise into the district, I can help identify cost efficiencies in our technology infrastructure, and ensure our cybersecurity investments are properly risk driven to maximize our ROI.”
