All in: Five candidates vie for three seats on the board of education

Editor’s note: Some of the information for this article was obtained via answers submitted to the school district by each candidate in their completed candidate packet. A comprehensive digital newsletter compiled by the district will include candidate answers to questions regarding their qualifications and background, as well as their thoughts on district issues and this year’s budget. It will be available on the district website next week. 

The race for the Northport-East Northport board of education is officially underway, with five candidates in the running for three available seats as trustee. The terms of current board members Larry Licopoli, Thomas Loughran and Allison Noonan are up; Loughran has submitted his candidate packet and is running for reelection.

Joining Loughran in the race for trustee are district residents Ray Burney, Jim Maloney, Joe Pushee and Chrissy Ruggeri. The Northport Journal has put together brief summaries of the candidates below, listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot:

Christine Ruggeri
Born and raised in Huntington, Chrissy Ruggeri has lived in Northport with her husband for 10 years. Their children are students at Norwood Avenue Elementary School.

With a BA in Adolescent Education, Ruggeri began her career as a high school English and writing teacher, during which time she developed and taught a new course curriculum for ninth graders focused on supporting their transition to high school. Eleven years ago, she accepted a full-time position as a health and wellness writer and is presently a digital content writer and SEO strategist for Stony Brook Medicine, where she leads the team’s editorial board. She is also a co-owner and writer for the Northport Journal, for which she has covered issues impacting the Northport-East Northport community since 2021.

“I chose to run for the BOE because our current board lacks representation from parents with young families – a significant group of taxpayers whose experiences are directly impacted by board decisions,” Ruggeri stated. “I would bring that essential yet missing perspective to the board while recognizing that the voices of all district taxpayers need to be heard and considered, especially in the coming years as we face increasing financial challenges and will need to make additional cuts to district staffing and programs.”

Ruggeri currently represents Norwood Avenue Elementary School on the district’s PTA Council and has formerly served as Norwood’s representative on the district’s Health and Safety Committee. She’s also a youth basketball coach and member/supporter of many local organizations. 

“I’m a busy full-time working mother of two young children,” Ruggeri stated. “Dedicating time to board matters is a sacrifice I’d proudly make because I love this community and know that I will be an asset to the school district.”

Thomas Loughran
A litigation paralegal for an antitrust litigation with an office in New York City, Tom Loughran is the only incumbent running for reelection. If elected, this will be Loughran’s third term on the board of education.
While a board member, he has taken on roles in several committees, including Community Engagement and Communication, Long-Range Fiscal Planning and District Wide Safety, he stated in the district newsletter. “I believe in thoughtful, forward-looking planning and making tough decisions when they’re right for students and our district,” he said. 

“I have always sought to find the optimal balance in policy and operations to allow our teachers and educators the space to provide the best possible education for our students while being completely respectful of the tax burden placed on the residents and business owners in the district,” he added. 

Loughran began his first term in July 2019. A resident of East Northport, he has lived in the Northport-East Northport community most of his life, graduating from Northport High School in 1997. He is a graduate of Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership.

He and his partner Kelly have a sophomore attending Nova Southeastern University in Florida and a sophomore at Northport High School. “Growing up in this community and school district was an amazing experience for us and being able to pass that experience to the next generation is something we continue to cherish,” he said. 

The reason he’s running for re-election, Loughran said, is “because I remain passionate about public education – the lifeblood of our community – and I look forward to continuing and completing the important work we’ve set in motion for the benefit of all our students, now and in the future.”

Joseph Pushee
A lifelong resident of Northport, Joe Pushee is a 2001 graduate of Northport High School. He graduated from SUNY Geneseo with an undergraduate degree in 2005 and master’s degree in 2006; he is currently a high school math teacher at John Glenn High School in Elwood. 

“I am choosing to run to give back to the community in a way I feel most qualified for,” Pushee told the Journal. “I want to take my experience with curriculum, working closely with administrators and parents, to help the Northport-East Northport school district.”

A teacher for 18 years and New York State educational specialist for 10 years, Pushee said he entered the race for trustee because he felt it was time for him to give back. “I am well aware of what it takes to run and lead a successful school district,” he said. “I know how good administration can lift an entire district up and how poor administration can sink a district,” he said. 

“We need to maximize our investment into our schools,” Pushee added. “It starts with responsible strong leadership in our schools.”

James Maloney
A former BOE trustee, Jim Maloney last served on the board from 2012 to 2015. He’s currently the vice president of Northport High School’s PTSA. He has also served as president and vice president of Northport Middle School PTSA, and was a member of the Future Study Advisory Committee. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he cooks omelettes to order for Staff Appreciation Day at Northport High School. 

Maloney and his wife live in Northport and have four children together; their youngest two will be in Northport High School together next year – as a senior and a freshman. 

“With my children now older and more independent, I have more time and flexibility to dedicate to this role,” Maloney told the Journal. “For me, it feels like the perfect time to step up again and contribute on a broader scale.”

A district sales coordinator with Aflac, Maloney is also a financial planner – his primary client base are all staff within the state’s public schools, from kindergarten to 12th grade. Working closely with 43 school districts in New York provides him the ability to “bring back great ideas that may work to enhance our school community,” he said. 

Maloney said he finds the leadership of Superintendent of Schools Dave Moyer encouraging: “He has brought strong direction and stability to the district, which gives the board a real opportunity to be forward-thinking and proactive in addressing challenges and exploring new ideas within our district,” he said. 

“With my insights and experience from serving on the board previously, as well as my involvement in the district, I look forward to having the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Moyer, fellow board members, our district administrators, teachers, staff, and community members to find solutions and continue building a strong, supportive environment for all of Northport and East Northport.”

Raymond Burney
After earning a social studies education degree from Cortland State and a law degree from St. John’s University, Ray Burney worked for 30 years at Metro-North Railroad, including seven years as senior vice president for administration. He later served, for over five years, as chief human resources officer for the City of Norwalk.

“In these positions, I oversaw the spending of hundreds of millions of tax dollars,” Burney said. “I have hired thousands of employees and negotiated dozens of labor contracts. I understand the obligation to spend public funds prudently and in pursuit of the intended public purpose.”

Now retired, Burney says he is motivated to be of service to the community. 

He and his wife have lived in Northport for 30 years; their three grown children all graduated from the Northport-East Northport school district. Burney has been active in the community, from coaching soccer and basketball to traveling to Nicaragua with the high school’s Students for 60,000 service club. He’s participated in many Cow Harbor Day races and events and looks forward to his grandchildren soon enrolling in the school system.

“We have a great school district with dedicated teachers, an expansive curriculum, and an administration that prioritizes the educational growth and well-being of our children,” Burney said. “I will work to continue providing an excellent educational environment and to improve the school system in any small or large way possible.”

“Most importantly, I have consistently voted in every local election and school budget, demonstrating my unwavering commitment to our community’s future. My passion for education and community service drives me to make a positive impact, ensuring that our community thrives, and our children receive the best opportunities,” he said. 

A Meet the Candidate Night is scheduled for Monday, May 5 at 7:30pm in the Brosnan building. Hosted by the NENPTA Council, the event is governed and presented according to New York State PTA guidelines. For more information on the event, and to submit questions for the candidates, click here. Questions should be submitted no later than May 3.  

The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District’s annual budget vote and election of trustees will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 6am to 9pm. Voter information, including how and where to vote, can be found here.