Meet the Bay Shore BOE candidates

One seat is up for election on the Bay Shore Board of Education in 2025. The three-year term is being contested by incumbent Andrew A. Arcuri and Bay Shore alumna Sara Haugland. The election and budget vote will be held Tuesday, May 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bay Shore High School, 155 Third Ave., Bay Shore.

Absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day.

Sara Haugland  (Challenger)

The Bay Shore School District has continued to play a huge role in Sara Haugland’s life. Haugland said she had a fantastic experience as a student, which she remembers with fondness. She took part in many sports and embraced the tight-knit nature of the Bay Shore community. Haugland is a mother of three children who are currently attending Bay Shore schools.

Following her academic career at Bay Shore schools, she furthered her education at University at Albany, where she graduated summa cum laude with degrees in English and communication. She furthered her education by earning a master’s degree in childhood education from CUNY Hunter College. Haugland’s professional career began at PS 198 in New York City, where she taught kindergarten, first grade, and fourth-grade special education.

“Those were some of the best years I can remember, and I just love being with the kids. It is, by far in my opinion, the most special—and most impactful—career you can have,” Haugland said.

Once she had her own kids, Haugland decided to take a step back from teaching; however, she made that decision with the full intention of returning to education. As a mother with children currently in the school district, she has had insight into the parental side of education. Her children are in fourth grade, second grade, and kindergarten. Haugland has used both her teaching and parental experience to bring ideas and enrichment into Bay Shore schools.

She said, “It’s been successful, and I’ve really been happy as a parent here, especially with the administration allowing me to be as involved as I’ve been.”

Haugland prides herself on being in consistent and constant conversation with administration and teachers. Additionally, she finds fulfillment in reading articles and books, listening to podcasts, and attending programs that keep her up to date about the ever-changing world of education.

She aims to be an advocate for parents and children.

If elected, Haugland wants to strengthen communication between the board, the school community, and parents. Through conversations with families, friends, and others in the community, she kept hearing the same thing: People want more communication. Haugland aims to be the person who bridges the gap between the board and parents—someone that people can go to with questions, needs, and concerns.

“I’m not the kind of person who hears those things and does nothing. If this is what people are asking for, then I want to step up and offer it,” she said.

Another priority for Haugland is revisiting policies to ensure they are current and address community input and student outcomes.

“Policy has to evolve to meet the changing needs of students and families,” she explained.

Additionally, she would like to see more innovative and project-based learning in the younger grades. Recently, she and other district members improved their garden and are currently putting together projects that address all areas of academia and promote a holistic education approach.

She believes in preparing students not only academically but also in life skills, such as financial literacy, communication, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, to succeed beyond the classroom.

Haugland would also like to focus on school safety and mental health. She believes that when children feel physically, emotionally, and socially safe, they are free to grow, trust, explore, and thrive.

Haugland feels that, given her history with Bay Shore schools, her education, and her becoming a very active parent in the school district, running for the Board of Education seemed like a natural next step.

Andrew A. Arcuri (Incumbent)

Lifelong Bay Shore resident and Bay Shore Board of Education incumbent Andrew A. Arcuri has been a member of the School Board since 2004. He graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1977. Following high school, he attended SUNY Stony Brook and graduated in 1981. Then, he obtained his Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law.

After completing his education, Arcuri resumed residence in Bay Shore.

He passed the New York and New Jersey bar exams, obtained licenses to practice law in both states, and continues practicing law in New York. He is a partner in the general practice Deer Park law firm of Kelly, Luglio & Arcuri, LLP, spending most of his time as a trial lawyer.

Arcuri’s peers have continuously recognized his commitment to the School Board. In 2008, he received the Suffolk County Schools Superintendent’s Association Award for Commitment to Provide a Quality Education for All Students. On multiple occasions, he has been the recipient of the SCOPE Award for Outstanding Board Service (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019), and most recently, he was the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association’s Outstanding School Board Service Award.

Arcuri is most proud to have received an AV Preeminent attorney rating (a perfect 5 out of 5) from Martindale-Hubbell for 25 consecutive years.

His background in law and career as a lawyer give him experience advocating for others, which, in Arcuri’s opinion, is exactly what a school board member does. He views advocacy as a way to ethically speak up on behalf of different groups within the community, understanding that it may not please everyone but aiming to do what’s right and reach positive outcomes.

Arcuri stated, “I’ve always just exhibited—I’m gonna say—a passion for what I do. I believe that if you’re going to be a school board member, when you sign up to do it, you should give it your all. And that’s something I’m proud of—21 years of doing just that.”

He takes pride in only missing five school board meetings during the last 21 years.

Arcuri strongly believes that if someone casts a ballot in his name, he owes them the respect of showing up and doing the job he was elected to do. He values commitment and perseverance, which he identifies with.

“I’ve seen a lot of people get involved—but often, it’s just for two or three months, maybe six—and then they disappear,” Arcuri said.

Arcuri shared that his favorite part of being on the Board of Education is visiting the school buildings and seeing the students in action. The most satisfying aspect for him is to see the results of all the incredible work educators have put in. Arcuri finds it fulfilling to watch all the hard work come to life in a student’s smile.

“As you get to know the kids and see them grow and thrive, there’s just nothing better.”

Arcuri spoke about the importance of getting out and voting.

“People should not just assume that, you know, their candidate is gonna win,” he said. “They shouldn’t just assume that the budget is gonna pass. They should actually exercise their right to vote.”