Lorraine Deller

Executive Director
Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Assocation

A graduate of New York City public schools, Lorraine Deller has been an advocate for public education for more than 35 years. From P.S. 119, which is described by Deller as “a grand structure in the Northeast Bronx,” to Junior High School, “a new innovation,” to James Monroe High School, Deller says she was blessed with wonderful, caring teachers. Deller also spent two years at The Mary Byers School and one year at The French Institute, which she says prepared her for life in Manhattan.

Marriage brought Deller to Baldwin, N.Y., where she and her husband raised three sons. One evening, she discussed with her husband the idea of joining the Baldwin School District PTA. “Sure,” he said. “It will give you something to do – get out of the house.” That was the beginning of her 18-year career on Baldwin’s Board of Education which included 10 terms as its president. During this time, Deller also obtained an Associate’s Degree in Design at Long Island University’s C. W. Post campus.

Deller currently serves as executive director — and was formerly president — of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. Besides being a presenter for the League of Women Voters, she has testified at the Nassau County Joint Legislative Committee on school funding, and the Suffolk County Commission on alternatives to property tax. Her strong advocacy of public education hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s been acknowledged by legislators via citations, resolutions, proclamations and declarations from both the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Asserting that her experiences — first as a school board member and now as head of an organization serving school boards — have given added dimension to her life Deller says, “My initial training and education with the Baldwin PTA and school board positioned me to work alongside some of Long Island’s most knowledgeable, devoted and passionate supporters of public education.”