Great Neck BOE candidates keep debate civil at LWV forum
About 50 residents gathered Tuesday evening at Temple Emanuel for a Board of Education candidate forum marked by civility and respectful discussion, as four candidates seeking two seats on the Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education focused on collaboration, community engagement and support for public education rather than political confrontation.
Incumbents Rebecca Sassouni and Joanne Chan are seeking re-election in the May 19 school board election, while challengers Marisa Brandeis Kermanian and Callie Ives are running for trustee seats for the first time. The event was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Great Neck, a nonpartisan civic organization that promotes voter education and public engagement.
The debate, moderated by members of the League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset to maintain neutrality, featured 13 vetted audience questions. Candidates were each given 90 seconds for opening and closing statements and 90 seconds to answer each question. Under forum rules, rebuttals were not permitted.
Throughout the nearly two-hour forum, candidates stayed within time limits, avoided personal attacks and frequently agreed on broad goals for the district.
https://www.longislandpress.com/2026/05/13/great-neck-boe-candidates-keep-debate-civil-at-lwv-forum/