Three Running for Two School Board Seats in East Quogue

Two incumbents and one newcomer contend for two seats in the upcoming race for the East Quogue Board of Education.

Veterans Kristin L. Jankowski and Kristina LoRusso will be joined by first time candidate Fallon Moscicki on the May 16 ballot.

Jankowski, 47, is seeking her third term on the board. An 18-year resident of East Quogue, she’s originally from Hampton Bays. Explaining what drew her to East Quogue, she said, “After living in Massachusetts for many years after graduating college, my husband and I wanted to raise our family where we grew up, closer to our families.” The couple has two children, ages 17 and 15.

An owner or the Westhampton True Value Store in Westhampton Beach and North Fork True Value in Jamesport, Jankowski said she was inspired to run for the school board because she wanted to do more for the community and bring her accounting experience and background to the board.

Asked to describe potential challenges the district may face in the coming year, the incumbent pointed to learning loss prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

“We need to continue to provide additional support and services to get all students back on track to where they should be academically, socially, and emotionally,” she said. Speaking to what makes her hometown special, Jankowski pointed to the commitment to the hamlet so many residents demonstrate. “East Quogue is so much like a family, and I love how important and involved all community members are,” she said.

“My favorite part about the East Quogue community and the school district is that it is such a unique locality with genuine small town charm and welcoming air,” said incumbent LoRusso, 45.

A preschool teacher, she’s originally from Port Jefferson. Some 19 years ago, she and her husband chose to move to the hamlet because of the school district and small town ambiance. The couple has three children, ages 16, 15 and 12.

LoRusso is seeking her second three-year term. “I decided to run for the school board three years ago to become more involved in my children’s education and to ensure the best educational outcome for all students,” she recalled.

Looking ahead, should she prevail in the election, LoRusso also saw continuing to cope with the repercussions of the pandemic as a potential challenge. The district may face social and emotional implications in students and staff as well as work to address any learning setbacks, she said.

Looking back, when LoRusso first ran for the board in 2020, she said, “I want the opportunity to contribute my knowledge, my energy and my sense of commitment to the students of the East Quogue district. I believe that a school board member should be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community always encouraging open communication.”

Moscicki, 39, said her goal for running is simple: “To apply my training and experience in the most direct way possible to benefit the school district in which I live, and the community of which we are a part.”

A school psychologist in the Shoreham Wading River district, Moscicki’s professional experiences include working in socio-economic and culturally diverse settings with students from preschool to college-age.

“I hope to bring these assets to the table in serving the needs of our students and community,” she said.

Moscicki grew up in East Hampton and said that when she and her husband, who grew up in Southampton, dreamed of a home on the East End, they knew they found a special place in East Quogue.

“East Quogue is providing our children with the childhood memories my husband and I fondly reminisce over and we have happily lived in the community for six years,” she said.

The couple has two children — a daughter in first grade and a 3-year-old son.

“East Quogue School does an incredible job establishing relationships with students and fostering a loving and positive school environment. This support extends beyond the classroom walls to the broader community,” Moscicki said.

She said she believes those strengths can be harnessed and used “to support ongoing oversight of curriculum and increased communication with families to maximize educational success for our students.”

The vote takes place May 16 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

The East Quogue Elementary School serves approximately 400 students, in kindergarten through sixth grade. They’re called the East Quogue Wildcats.