Schools

Board of Education Candidates Share Views in Forum [VIDEO]

The public heard from the 2011 Board of Education candidates on Wednesday night.

Last night, several Bethel Board of Education candidates participated in a PTO and Bethel Education Foundation sponsored public forum. Moderated by Rockwell School Principal Brian Kirmil, the candidates took turns answering randomly drawn questions; the Democrats/Working Families first at 6:30 p.m. and the Republican/Independent/Tea Party candidates at 7:45 p.m. 

Topics included the budget, taxes, curriculum and dealing with the rise in special needs students to name a few.

When it came to the budget and taxes, many candidates said they recognized the harsh economic climate and the struggle with supporting the schools.

"In the economic climate we’re in, creating the budget is a difficult process," Current Board of Education Chairman Larry Craybas (R) said. "And sometimes you’re taking a guess of what you need, but we pride ourselves in taking the time to research, ask questions and work at the budget until we’re comfortable with it and can get behind it 100 percent."

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Board member William Duff (R) said: "You have to decide what is necessary and if we decided to raise taxes, they would have to be justified. No one wants to say they support tax increases, but on the other hand, no one wants to say they support cutting education."

New Democrat candidates Robert Rogers and Ted Stevenson also shared how they'd handle the fiscal side if elected.

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"I would support tax increases only if we had exhausted all other options; if it takes taxes to support to schools I would be okay with it," Rogers said. "...I would also dissect the budget and go line by line and see what is and isn’t effective." 

When asked about possibly cutting back on the budget, Stevenson said, "I would making cutting staff a last possible resort, our teachers are essential."

Board members Kristen Lacy (I) and Robin Renner (D) were asked about future challenges the board may face.

Renner said: "Our biggest challenge is finding funding while maintaining our excellence. Also teacher training, evaluation and retention; keeping our teachers at Bethel."

She also said other challenges include cyber-bullying and special education funding, both of which the board is already taking steps to address.

"I think we're looking at a lack of funding, dealing with mandates and better preparing students after leaving our schools," Lacy said. "But Bethel will be effective in facing these challenges."

A current issue the candidates were asked about, was the possibility of , both of which are more than 30 years old.

"I think we need to take a look at the schools and create a safe facility that also provides the right learning resources," board member Janice L. Chrzescijanek (D) said.

"It’s all a part of protecting our investment," board member Scott Anthony Clayton (R) said. "If [the buildings] are not up to the job, they need to be fixed. It wouldn’t be cheap, but we’re preserving our investment and keeping a safe place for our kids and teachers, then we need to do that." 

New Republican candidates Beth A. Gorry and Bryan Terzian shared what they would do if they were elected.

Gorry said, "Over the years, I’ve watched the Bethel schools get better and better and I would be happy to do my part to keep that going."

"As a member of public office, you need to consider what everyone has to say, in this case the teachers, students, administrators and the community," Terzian said. "Everyone needs to be involved and I would listen to everyone's opinion."   

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8 and voters may select seven candidates on the ballot.

A majority of the candidates were in attendance; those candidates not at the forum were Lisa M. Johnson (D), Janet Cosgrove (D), Elizabeth A. Frey (I) and Kevin Gallagher (Tea Party). 


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