Two Board Trustees Run Unopposed For Re-election

Two Hauppauge Board of Education trustees will be running unopposed for re-election on May 17.

Incumbent Susan Hodosky is seeking re-election for a second term on the board. Hodosky has been a Hauppauge resident for 19 years and has four children, two attending and two graduates of Hauppauge Public Schools. She works as the director of revenue for the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, under the County Executive’s Office of Budget and Management.

“There are many issues facing our district and difficult decisions need to be made. We must continue the academic progress we have made while dealing with the economic realities of today,” Hodosky said in a statement.

She declined an interview with Patch to discuss her viewpoints on the issues facing Hauppauge school district.

Incumbent Pat Lesser has served on the Board of Education for nine years, and is seeking re-election to her fourth term. Lesser has been a Hauppauge resident for 28 years and has raised six children who graduated from Hauppauge High School.

After being re-elected to the board in 2008, Lesser’s husband, Ken, was killed by a drunk driver in August 2009. Lesser said the incident reminded her of her strong ties to the Hauppauge community.

“During the difficult months that followed, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from this amazing community…” she said in a statement. “I wish to continue to fulfill my personal expectation of community service by once again representing you on the Board of Education."

Lesser did not respond to requests for comment on the board elections.

District residents can vote on the budget and school board candidates on May 17 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the former . A public hearing on the 2011-2012 budget will be held on Tuesday at the end of the Board of Education’s 8 p.m. meeting.