Robert Koonin said that he wants to continue the success Roslyn Board of Education has enjoyed in recent years as he bids for a spot on the board.

Koonin, a healthcare and real estate partner, is one of three candidates running for three spots on the school board along with Bruce Valauri, an incumbent, and Alison Gilbert, a psychologist. Clifford Saffron and Steven Litvack, are not seeking re-election.  

“Having lived in Roslyn for the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to watch my daughters grow and learn in an incredible academic environment,” Koonin said. “As a mentor to numerous Accelerator and Incubator teams at the High School, I have seen the incredible opportunities afforded to our Roslyn students. I can think of no better way to volunteer my time than to help assure the continued success of our school system and ensure that our students receive the best possible educational opportunities.”

A resident of the district for eight years, Koonin said he has coached his daughters’ flag football and booster basketball teams. He said he’s also been involved with the district’s school incubator and accelerator programs, which gives high schoolers the chance to create and fully develop their own products or services.

Kooning said he believes he can bring a skillset to the board that enables both teamwork and collaboration. 

“Professionally, I help my clients think ahead, and solve problems by using a pragmatic and collaborative approach,” Koonin said. “I will use those same skills to work productively with my fellow board members to solve any problem facing the district and make logical decisions that focus solely on the best interest of our children and community.” 

If elected, Koonin said he would focus on keeping kids in a sense of normalcy throughout the end of the COVID-19 pandemic while focusing on well-being for both students and staff. 

“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical well-being and mental health of students and teachers around the country has been placed at the forefront of our collective consciousness,” Koonin said. “My top priority, if elected, will be to ensure the continued physical and mental wellbeing of our students, teachers and faculty. Roslyn has placed a high emphasis on the physical and mental health of their students, and I will work with the Board to further expand these and other advanced initiatives.”

Residents in the Roslyn school district will vote on the budget and for members of the Board of Education in elections on May 17. 

The Roslyn Board of Education adopted a $122,145,193 budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year on April 12. 

The budget calls for a 2.93% increase in spending from the current year and a 2.48% increase in the tax levy, which falls under the state tax levy limit of 3.7%. 

The proposed tax levy totals $101,148,675. 

Roslyn residents will vote on the final budget on May 17 and, if approved, it will take effect July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.