Candidate Profile: Nick Boland Says He Brings Different Perspective to the Board

The annual budget votes and board elections take place throughout Long Island on May 21. In East Hampton, there are six candidates — Alison Anderson, an incumbent, Nicholas J. Boland, JP Foster, Wendy Geehreng, Mary Ella Moeller, and Rich Wilson — are vying for three positions on the board of education. The following is a profile of Nick Boland:

An East Hampton resident since 1996, Nicholas J. Boland is seeking his first elected position. The owner and operator of Fuel Renewal Inc., a diesel fuel tank cleaning and fuel polishing company, as well as a home improvement contractor, Boland also practiced law from 1990 until 2005.

He is a Commack High School North graduate, and went onto earn a BA from Cornell University in 1987 and a law degree Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 1990.

His wife, Deborah Meyer Boland, is a first grade teacher at John M. Marshall Elementary School. She is a 1979 graduate of East Hampton High School.

Q: What qualifies you to be a member of the school board? Why do you want to be a member of the school board?

In the final analysis, the reason why I am running for a position on the East Hampton School Board is to help share the gift of public education. This is a concept that everyone in our community can support. Now it is time for me to express why I would be an asset to the East Hampton School Board. In short, I believe that my education, background, legal and business experience have prepared me well for a seat on the Board. I believe that I will bring a different perspective to the Board. I am not an educator by vocation; nonetheless I am a product of educators. I have been taught to be a logical thinker. I have been taught to think things through without becoming emotionally involved in the topic. I have been taught to see and evaluate both sides of an argument. I am able to think outside of the box. I am a problem solver. If you ask anyone that knows me well they will tell you that I am not afraid to speak my mind or ask tough questions. I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe is right. I am not afraid to defend unpopular or controversial ideas. At the same time I believe that I am a good listener. I am interested in what other people have to say. I enjoy the engagement with other people; the give and take of exchanging ideas. I am a people person. I can bring people together to work toward a common goal.I am asking for your vote so that I can use my abilities, summarized above, to represent the interests of our community as a member of the East Hampton School Board. I will use my position to increase the level of communication between the District and the public. I will offer a strong voice for the people in all areas of concern. I will work tenaciously to increase the Transparency, Clarity and Consistency of the Board. I am willing to dedicate myself to these goals so that the overall system of public education in East Hampton will continue to improve for all of our children. I truly believe that my own excellent public school education helped to prepare me for meeting challenges and succeeding in life. I want to insure that the children of East Hampton are as fortunate.

Q: If elected, what changes would you like to see at East Hampton Schools?

Increase in communication between the school district and the public at large.

Q: What is the most serious issue facing East Hampton schools?

Lack of consistency in building administrators.

Q: ls there anything else you'd like to add?

I hope that I have convinced you to vote for me, Nick Boland, on May 21st and that you also consider voting for my colleagues, JP Foster and Wendy Walters Geehreng with whom I share common goals.

Do you support Nicholas Boland? Tell us why in the comments below.