Meet The Clarkstown School Board Candidates: Mike Aglialoro

were asked to provide background information and their positions on issues facing the school district. Michael Aglialoro provided today's responses. 

Name:
Michael Aglialoro

Age:
43

Marital status:
Married to Mercedes

Age and gender of children:
Daughter 12 years old and son 10 years old

What community do you live in?
West Nyack

How long have you lived there?
Almost 12 years

What is your educational background?
B.S.in Finance and International Business and MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business

Where do you work and what is your occupation?
I am a portfolio manager for a money management firm in New York City.
Owner of Wee Play in Nanuet
One of the owners of the Rockland Boulders Baseball Team in Pomona

What is your spouse’s occupation?
Mercedes is an elementary school teacher at the Link Elementary School in the Clarkstown School district. 

Are you a member of any professional, union and/or volunteer organization/s? If yes, please list them and if you held any official position within the group/s.
Founding trustee of the Clarkstown Education Foundation (CEF), member for five years and three of those as president.
Former trustee of Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club

Have you received any awards/recognition?
2009 Volunteer of the Year, Rotary Club of West Nyack
2010 Rockland Hero, Journal News

What unique skills/experience would you bring to the board?
I have over 20 years of work experience in the financial industry. I am also a local business owner. I also have board experience as a founding trustee and president of the CEF.

Have you run for elected office before? If yes, please explain.
No

Why are you running for the school board?
I believe I have a skill set that is essential in helping manage this school district in an environment of challenging fiscal budgets. 

Which, if any organizations endorsed you?
None that I am aware of.

How do you think you can help the board work more effectively and cooperatively as a whole and with the administration?
One of the things I learned early on in my career is that you truly need to listen to what other people have to say and be willing to alter your point of view as a result of that interaction. You also need to be willing to compromise with other to be able to move forward. To help facilitate this process, decisions need to be based on current and relevant information and research.

What do you see as the single greatest challenge facing the Clarkstown School District?
The biggest challenge for the District will be to maintain the current level of services under the two percent tax levy cap. I plan on doing a “deep dive” into the financials of the district hoping to bring a fresh set of eyes with a different perspective.

How did the board’s decision to hire a new superintendent influence your decision to run?
It did not factor into my decision to run.

 Do you have a campaign web site or Facebook page?
 www.clarkstownschoolboard.com

If you are elected, will you continue as president of the Clarkstown Education Foundation?
I will stay involved supporting the mandate of the Foundation but I will not continue as president.

Two school board candidates' forums have been announced. The Clarkstown Taxpayers' program takes place on Thursday, April 26 at the Nanuet Library from 7 to 9 pm. The Clarkstown Council of PTAs holds it program on Monday, April 30 at the Felix Festa Middle School in West Nyack at 7 p.m.