Five candidates explain why they’re running for South Country Board of Education

Five candidates are seeking election to three seats on the South Country Board of Education. The seats are for a three-year term.

Whomever gets elected will face a number of challenges.

The district is experiencing shrinking enrollment (a loss of 569 students from 2014 to 2024) and higher costs for employee health care, transportation and special education. To close a $3.2 million budget gap, the current Board of Education, on April 23, approved a budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that raises taxes by 3.48 percent and calls for eliminating 51.2 FTEs across all bargaining units through a combination of layoffs, retirements and separations. The budget includes laying off 15 teachers and switching five others from full-time to part-time status.

The budget and candidate vote is Tuesday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bellport Middle School (west gym.). Meet the Candidates Night is Monday, May 12, at the District Office with a meet-and-greet at 6 p.m. Candidates will take questions at 7 p.m.

Joseph L. Barry

(current board vice president)

Age: 52

Residence: East Patchogue

Occupation: Director of Development, The De La Salle School

Family: I have been married to Stephanie for 24 years, and we have three children: Ben (21), a 2021 graduate of Bellport High School and a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps; Bridget (18), a 2024 Bellport graduate and a freshman at SUNY Oneonta; and Charlotte (14), currently a freshman at Bellport High School.

Why are you running for re-election?

I first ran for the school board three years ago and am seeking re-election this year with two primary concerns in mind: the academic environment and the fiscal health of the district.

Academically, I am deeply concerned that the South Country School District ranks last in standardized testing performance on Long Island. During my tenure, I have presented numerous ideas and suggestions to the superintendent and the board, including contributions to the district’s most recent strategic planning efforts. While we have begun to make progress, the district’s work to improve academic performance and rigor is still in the early stages of implementation. I believe there is more I can contribute to help enhance student outcomes.

Fiscally, I played a key role in saving the district $350,000 annually and continue to pursue both cost-saving and revenue-generating opportunities. I have consistently taken a proactive approach to building connections and seeking opportunities that benefit our district. My commitment is both personal and professional. I’ve seen the impact the district has had on my two high school graduates, and I witness daily what my current freshman is experiencing. As a taxpayer, I want to ensure that our resources are spent and allocated wisely and responsibly. My professional career has enabled me to build relationships across a broad spectrum of industries, allowing me to bring valuable connections and opportunities to the district that might not otherwise be accessible.

What are your priorities if re-elected?

My primary goal is to improve our district’s New York State Math and English Language Arts proficiency scores and to ensure positive outcomes for our postgraduate students.

To achieve this, we must focus on supporting and engaging both our teachers and community resources, while also planning for the future by maintaining and enhancing our facilities and infrastructure.

Anything else voters should know about you?

In the three years since being elected to the school board, I have only missed a single meeting. More importantly, I have always placed our children and their academic needs at the center of every discussion, decision and vote. This includes making the very difficult decision to support a budget that involves a reduction in faculty. The reality is that our district is facing unprecedented increases in expenses, and we must prioritize all valuable resources, classes, and programs—while still maintaining one of the lowest student-to-teacher ratios on Long Island. As both a parent and an active community member, I am keenly aware of what’s happening in our classrooms and across the programs and services offered in our district. We need strong advocacy to attract the financial resources necessary for educational success, while also ensuring we spend responsibly to respect our local tax base. My goal is to ensure that our funding is used wisely and directed toward improving student outcomes. I will continue to be a strong advocate for change, fiscal responsibility and academic excellence.

Erika M. Calderón

Age: 29

Residence: Bellport Village

Occupation: Attorney at Drohan Lee LLP

Family: In a committed relationship; no children, proud dog mom to a puppy named Rosie.

Why are you running for election?

I’m running for the South Country Central School District Board of Education because every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered to succeed. As a former educator, attorney, and active community member, I am committed to fairness, accountability, and open communication. I will work to ensure our schools foster a positive environment where students are not only heard, but truly valued and cared for.

What are your priorities if elected?

My priorities are to ensure school safety, promote student well-being, and strengthen collaboration between the board, teachers, parents, and the broader community. I am committed to improving communication, fostering a positive school environment and supporting initiatives that help students stay engaged and succeed. I will work to amplify student voices and ensure that district policies reflect the values and needs of our community.

Anything else voters should know about you?

I am deeply committed to public service and began my career as a Teach For America teacher and AmeriCorps member, where I taught social studies and later served as a department chair. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, running and going to the beach with my Australian cattle dog, Rosie. My connection to the South Country community is deeply personal—I have family and friends currently in the district and many relatives who are proud South Country graduates. I am dedicated to advocating for policies that support students, educators, and families at every level.

Rob Felicetta

Age: 40

Town of residence: Brookhaven Hamlet

Occupation: High School Assistant Principal and Career & Technical Education Administrator (in a district other than South Country)

Family: Married, two children

Why are you running for election?

I am running for the Board of Education because this community has played a significant role in shaping my values and who I am today. As a proud graduate of our schools and a current parent, I have a deep, personal investment in the success of our district. I believe our schools deserve strong, transparent and accountable leadership—leadership that listens to families and prioritizes the needs of students above all else. Every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment—one where they can focus on their education without fear of violence. At the same time, fostering a culture of accountability among students is essential to maintaining a respectful, productive atmosphere that supports the success of all learners.

What are your priorities if elected?

If elected to the Board of Education, my top priorities will be to strengthen STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education at the elementary level, ensuring our students build a strong foundation for future success. I am also committed to addressing our district’s financial challenges with a focus on fiscal responsibility, making smart, sustainable decisions to restore financial stability. Additionally, I will prioritize holding the current administration accountable to ensure that every decision aligns with the district’s needs and long-term goals. Our focus must always be what’s best for students, educators and the community at large, while ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for learning.

Daniel Fitzgerald

Age: 47

Residence: East Patchogue

Occupation: Pool Boy for GM Pools and Spas

Family: Married, three children

Why are you running for election?

I am running for the Board of Education because I have a pit in my stomach due in large part to the divisive nature of both local and national politics; and Miller Lite doesn’t seem to help with this pit anymore. I have three kids: two currently enrolled in Bellport High School, and my oldest, a recent Bellport graduate, is presently attending the University of Buffalo. I want to see if I can help to make things better, kinder, for both my children and my community.

What are your priorities if elected?

I am currently not up to date enough on the inner workings of South Country School District to cite a specific priority. I plan to use my first year as a board member to watch and learn. In general, I subscribe to the theory that a broadly educated populace is the closest thing to a panacea that civilized society has ever follied their way into. In turn, I want to help our community’s children to understand the importance of learning. This concept, once acculturated, will enable South Country SD’s wonderful assemblage of teachers and support staff to help our students to both help themselves and their communities.

Christopher Ross

Age: 51

Residence: East Patchogue

Occupation: Attorney/Partner with the firm Keegan & Keegan, Ross & Rossner a general law practice and focus on litigation and personal injury. Prior to practicing law, I worked in the world of sports and entertainment in various positions on events like the 1996 Summer Olympics and “Monday Night Football,” working for companies like ABC Sports, ESPN and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Family: Married to Nancy, an elementary educator in the Middle Country School District. Three children: eighth grader, a freshman, and senior at Bellport High School.

Why are you running for election?

My experiences give me a unique perspective and skill set, which if elected, I can bring to the Board of Education, to advocate for our children, families, and community from the inside, and be a part of the solution.

What are your priorities if elected?

The tasks and duties which lie ahead for the next board and future board members are not a one-person job. It is going to take a team effort with some hope, faith, hard work and dedication. Some of those tasks and duties include:

Making sure students are educationally equipped for success Pursuing more financially responsible policies and practices which ensure a return on the community’s investment in our schools Making sure the communication and access to the board is open, so concerns, thoughts and ideas from parents, staff, and community members are heard.

Encouraging, promoting and expecting safety, and security at our schools so children, staff and teachers have a safe and welcoming space to learn and grow.

We want our children and community members to take pride in being a Bellport student. As an alumnus and community member, I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming days and hope that I can have your vote on May 20.