Please join us at 7:30PM on Wednesday, May 1st at the James Kaden Administrative Offices for Meet the Candidate Night! We have three candidates running for three seats on the Board of Education, Mr. Fred Scragg, Mrs. Linda LaCara, and Mrs. Erin Meijer. See below for information on each of our candidates.
Frederick R. Scragg
Fred Scragg is grateful to be a part of the South Huntington Union Free School District. As a father of two dual-language students, this district has given him and his family so much. It feels natural to him to want to give back. Fred holds degrees in Business Management and Finance, Art History, and Theology. In addition to his first term on the Board of Education, he serves in various other volunteer roles within the district and in the Township of Huntington.
He is currently PTA President of Countrywood Primary Center; he is Recording Secretary on the South Huntington PTA Council; he is on the Lip Sing for Scholarships committee; he is the district-wide Arts in Education chairperson; and he serves on the Town of Huntington Public Art Advisory Committee. His first term on the Board of Education has been filled with joy and community! Fred looks forward to serving a second term on the Board of Education. He is committed to raising the quality of education for all students and supporting the arts.
Linda O. LaCara
I am a proud graduate of Walt Whitman, as are my children, John and Jennifer. For 30 years I have served our district in various volunteer capacities; including 4 PTA presidential positions, 18 years as an elected board trustee, and for the last 2 years as the board vice president.
As a board member, I have served on the curriculum council, and for the last two years as the council chairperson. I have also served as a member of the facilities committee, which ensures that our buildings and grounds are well maintained and kept safe for all students and staff.
I am passionate and dedicated to every student’s education, and have always tried to provide an atmosphere for all to reach their greatest potential. I have tried to accomplish this by increasing course offerings, adding the ninth period at the high school, enhancing theater and music opportunities, and reaffirming the importance of athletics and intramurals.
If re-elected, I will continue to seek the best solutions to maintain our high educational standards, while presenting budgets that comply with the tax cap.
Erin E. Meijer
Erin Meijer is a proud Walt Whitman alum and life-long South Huntington resident. Erin is a Director at Brunswick Group where she leads strategy and communications for financial services clients.
A mom of two third-generation Wildcats currently at Maplewood and Silas Wood, Erin is completing her first term as a Board of Education trustee where she chairs the Wellness Committee and sits on the district DEI Committee. She is a fierce and passionate mental health advocate focused on eliminating the stigma around mental illness and addiction. Prior to her service as a Board Trustee, she served for three years as a Community Member on the Board Audit Committee.
In her “free” time you’ll find Erin driving her minivan to and from soccer, cheering on the Huntington YMCA Bluefish swim team, baking, or with her nose in a good WWII historical fiction novel.
Erin received her BA in International Relations from Boston University, her MBA from the Marist College School of Management, and holds a Professional Chef Certification from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, and is bilingual English/Spanish.