Why are you running for this office?

I am running for the Vernon Board of Education to help prepare our students, including my own two, for future success. Prosperity of our community and the state depend on the strength of our schools.

What is the most pressing local issue facing your community and how would you solve it (within the capacity of the office for which you are running)?

Families are reluctant to move to Vernon because we were labeled an Alliance School District by the State Department of Education in 2012. Though I believe this label is a better reflection of a school district's poverty and transiency levels than the quality of the schools, our students test scores must increase so we can "shed the label". I will work to ensure that high expectations are set for all students; a high quality staff and curriculum are in place; education is equitable across the district; appropriate supports are available for both students and staff; families are engaged; and interim assessments show growth. I will also work to ensure that our many highlights and successes are communicated within the community and across the state.

With the state's ongoing budget crisis looming over the election, what are your plans for your community's budget? Is there anything you can do make your town less dependent on revenue from the state?

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The legislature has been debating various ideas to allow towns to raise revenue locally through something other than property taxes. If you could ease your residents' property tax burden by adding another method of taxation, is there anything you might consider for your town?

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Are you in favor of regionalizing more services in conjunction with other nearby communities? If so, which ones?

CREC, Vernon's Regional Educational Service Center (RESC), provides assistance with regionalization of educational services. Vernon currently utilizes cooperative buying arrangements for fuel and school supplies.

Should your school district get the same amount of education funding from the state if your district's enrollment is dropping?

Per student costs are not fixed. Student needs vary for services such as math, reading, and/or behavioral intervention; special education; English language learning; and more. If students with lower needs for extra resources leave, but students with higher needs replace them, even in lesser numbers, district costs could be equal or higher. In addition, the State imposes new mandates on school districts annually for which funding is not always provided. IF school district costs were declining due to lower enrollment, first, the school district should be allowed by the State to reduce their annual budget; and THEN the reduction of State education funding might be appropriate.

What's one thing most people don't know about you?