Schools
Doran Cites Business, Family Reasons for Not Running for Reelection to Lindy BOE
New business commitments and a family focus prompt Trustee Ray Doran's decision to step down in June at the end of his second term on the Lindenhurst Board of Education.
Of the eight Lindenhurst residents who threw their hats into the ring on Monday to run for the Board of Education, current Trustee Ray Doran - whose term ends in June - isn’t among them.
Doran, who’s been on the BOE for the last six years, told Lindenhurst Patch on Tuesday he opted not to run for another three-year term because of growing business commitments.
He owns a local chemical manufacturing company in Farmingdale that makes hydrophobic (water repellent) coatings, and he said his firm just signed with an international manufacturer that would bring more business.
However, due to that new business that came to fruition at the end of last week, Doran came to the decision not to run on Sunday night - the day before petitions to run were due.
“I got all of the necessary signatures and the petition together, but I felt I couldn’t give the time this deserves or takes. So I opted not to run,” Doran said.
“I’ve served six years on the school board, and from 2000 to 2004 on the Village [of Lindenhurst] Board - 10 years total in public service,” he said, noting while he gets no compensation from the BOE position, he donated the compensation he received while on the Village Board to the Lindenhurst Youth Center.
He continued: “But now I’m not going be able to give the time, and my family and business needs have to come first now.”
Doran’s business commitments, he said, picked up during this year’s budget season, in March and April, with absences at several different meetings - including last week’s budget finalization meeting when BOE Vice President Ed Murphy, Jr. noted he was away on business.
It didn’t go unnoticed by several residents who made a point about his absences.
Doran told Patch he reached out to Superintendent Richard Nathan and BOE President Donna Hochman about the increased commitment and business trips he’d need to take initially, and when the new business came to light last week, he said it was the final factor in making his decision not to run for reelection.
“People don’t realize what a commitment this really is. You get a stack of Board memos every week; there are workshops and meetings and executive sessions that could last until 1 a.m. And that’s not including fielding phone calls from the superintendent or parents,” he explained.
Since his time was being split even further, it made the decision not to run a bit easier, though he hopes he’s made a difference in his time on the Board, and in public service.
“It’s time to focus on business and family,” Doran said.
“And I hope whoever gets elected brings a different view to the Board. I feel I brought the financial aspect; that’s my forte. I hope the next [Board members] bring something different,” he added.
Running for Doran’s spot are three newcomers:
- Linda Eisen.
- Robert Voyles.
- Lynn Aniello.
It’s part of the Lindenhurst Council of PTAs’ monthly meeting that night.
The same night the superintendent presents the 2013-14 school budget the BOE finalized on April 17 and is scheduled to approve on April 25.
The finalized budget includes a 1.99 percent tax levy, plus the removal of 66 aides and the use of $1.1 million in reserves.
Related Coverage:
- Eight School Board Candidates, Minus One Incumbent, Make It Official
- Meet the Lindy BOE Candidate and Budget Presentation Set for Wed. Night, April 24
- Week of Apr. 22: School Budget & BOE Candidate Meetings, LHS Play, Earth Day & More
- Lindenhurst BOE Finalizes 2013-14 Budget with 1.99% Tax Levy
- Lindy BOE Preserves Program, Cuts Sandy Transportation Costs in 2013-14 Budget
- District to Cut 66 Aides, Change Special Education Model
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