Q&A: Boehm Aiming to Continue Involvement in School District

Ellen Boehm has lived in Port Jefferson for nearly 20 years, working as a teacher’s assistant in the school district for the past 13. The graduate has two daughters, with her husband of 35 years, who have graduated from her alma mater as well. 

Boehm is retiring from her position in the school district on June 30 and prior to her work with PJSD, worked as a lab technician.

Port Jefferson Patch: Why are you running for school board?

Ellen Boehm: I’ve always been involved in the school so it seemed like a natural step to continue to serve. My kids graduated so I don’t sit on the PTA’s anymore.

But my love of Port Jefferson – I see some very, very good things going on and some big things on the horizon – between the tax cap and the pending LIPA announcement. So we’re going to have to make some hard decisions. As a community if we can learn to be respectful and listen to each other, I think we can find a way to meet our budget needs and still address the kids and the greater community.

PJP: What drew you to education from working as a lab technician?

EB: I’ve come to spend a lot of time involved over the years. The kids are our futures, all these kids. And the decisions we make greatly impact their lives. Everybody wants to have successes – parents, teachers, the community. It all rolls back to them. Why not be part of something that can be successful?

PJP: What kinds of things could the district improve on?

EB: Every district is rushing now to meet the needs of Race to the Top. Our district has put forth a good effort to make that happen. We have to realize that every kid can make a difference.

PJP: Is there anything you think the school board could have done differently recently?

EB: I’m happy with their decisions currently. Of it’s always the opinion of the public and the community that you have to listen to. But with Dr. Bossert as the superintendent, and the administrative changes we’ve made, I think we’re moving in the right direction. For once we’re all working together. It’s nice to see.

PJP: So what are you hearing from the community? What do you think they think about how the school district is operating?

EB:  I think they would like some more effective communication between schools and the homes. There are a number of things the district is implementing so it’s not always perfect. But is everything perfect? I don’t think so.

I also think they would like to see higher test scores, and more rigorous programs. Dr. Bossert has been here one year. So I think that he will put changes in effect that will allow the district to have what parents week.

And obviously a lot of people are curious about where things will end up with LIPA. We might have a very rough road ahead. I don’t want to be part of a board that fails the community. Or even worse, the students.

PJP: With a LIPA decision looming, where do you see the district being able to save funds?

EB: I put a lot of faith in our local representative to bring home what’s due to us.

But I think we will need to get creative. We have a contingency of parents who would like to see a lacrosse team. They had been willing in the past to raise funds if necessary, and I think we are going to be needing to reach out into the community and be innovative in how we raise some funds.

As Port Jefferson has always risen to the occasion I know parents will rise to the occasion. Maybe some money will come from taxes, some from outside funding to find ways to keep the programs that are important. We have a lot of dedicated people in Port Jefferson, and I think that once we realize we are all working together toward the same goals, it will work out.