Comsewogue School Board Race: Candidate Rob DeStefano

Rob DeStefano is an incumbent candidate for the Comsewogue school board who is a lifelong resident now raising two sons in the district.

DeStefano works as a product marketing manager for a software company, where he said he has developed an understanding of budget oversight, business profit-and-loss management, technology and communication. He is also the founder of the Comsewogue Community Facebook page.

DeStefano said the biggest challenge the district is facing right now is a fiscal one, and is concerned about maintaining the quality of education in light of issues such as the tax cap and unfunded mandates. "We’re getting less aid from outside the district but we can’t allow education to suffer in the process," he said.

He voted to adopt the current proposed budget of approximately $81.1 million. "From an internal district operations perspective, it’s a very sound budget, so I emphatically voted for it," he said.

DeStefano is seeking his second term on the board of education. "As a lifetime resident here, the schools are something I care deeply about," he said. "I’m proud of the town, I’m proud of this school district. I’ll do this as long as the community honors me to do so."