North Merrick School Board Candidate: Wendy Gargiulo

Editor's Note: This article was written by Wendy Gargiulo.

My name is Wendy Gargiulo and I am seeking re-election to the North Merrick School Board.  

I am a lifelong resident and product of North Merrick and its schools. My husband I have chosen to raise our three children. Jamie is a senior at Calhoun and will be attending Binghamton University in the fall. Jake is a freshman, both wrestling and playing baseball for Calhoun. Colby is a sixth grader at Camp Avenue and is looking forward to attending MAMS next year. My mom, a senior, lives across the street from me.

Being involved in my children’s school was always a priority to me. As a young mother, I knew I wanted to be involved in my children’s school. I worked my way through the ranks of PTA, chairing many committees, sitting on the PTA board and eventually becoming PTA president in 2007/2009. During this same span of time, I also dedicated myself as a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader. After my tenure from PTA, I knew I wanted to do more and give back to the community.

The natural next step was to run for the school board. I like being part of the decision making process and being the voice for North Merrick residents.

It’s important to me that our school district produces well-rounded students. My goal is for children to receive a quality education coupled with exposure to the arts and sports. We are building the foundation for educational success beginning on the elementary level. All that that they are taught in our schools in as far as education and character development will be applied and tested through their teens and adulthood. We prepare them for a road of success.  

It was my vision for children within our school district whose parents were indigent to play sports they might not otherwise be able to afford. For the past three years, I have been the liaison with Merrick Little League bringing this vision to fruition.

My approach to the fiscal responsibility placed upon me is to create the best budget possible, with the lowest tax increase all while maintaining quality programming for our youngsters.

I would like to thank the community for supporting me during my first term and look forward to serving you again for the next three years. I have learned so much about our educational system and continue on the path of growth in my school board role. It is my hopes that in the future I can serve on the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School district and apply all that I have learned as a North Merrick School Board member.

(**Please note:  each of the four component elementary school boards (N. Merrick, Merrick, N. Bellmore, Bellmore)  elects two board members to the central high school board internally to serve until their elementary school board term expires).