Why are you running for this office?

I am running as an incumbent on the Board of Education because I feel that consistency is important for our community to move forward with initiatives we have put in place. I am also passionate about a strong public education for all of our students, and that reputation of a quality education keeps Tolland attractive to young families.

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)?

Sustainability. Especially as it pertains to the state budget crisis. How do we sustain our Tolland community and the services we provide our residents? Our education system has a big impact on our local economy, and we must have real, purposeful dialogue as a community so we plan for the future....together. These conversations will be difficult, but we must ask ourselves what we want Tolland to look like in 5, 10, 15 years down the road. The impact of the decisions we make now, will have long-lasting effects. On the Board of Education, I am a strong supporter of our Superintendent's efforts to have a vision for the future, in being proactive in planning for possible tuition-bearing programs so Tolland can bring in students from surrounding communities where this unique curriculum may not be offered. Coupled with other cost-saving measures, these efforts put Tolland in a better position as a community.

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?

We have consistently communicated with our legislators over the state's fiscal crisis, and the negative effect it would have on our community. Millions of dollars in funding cuts could not possibly be sustained - they needed to understand that if cuts were imminent, it needed to be done in a gradual manner so a school district and municipality like Tolland could responsibly plan for those cuts. Education programming, as well as smart and responsible development, are certainly a start to putting Tolland in a less dependent position.

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?

No one wants their taxes to go up. And to call it something else as a revenue source is disingenuous. If it involves raising revenue in other ways, I think that is part of a larger, proactive conversation within the community.

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

Regionalization can take many different forms. Tolland has already been doing some of that. Health insurance collaborative with other surrounding towns has been helpful for us. It is not the golden ticket, however. We need to think about all of the potential impacts of it, and possibly look at other states and what has worked, and what has not.

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

The Education Cost Sharing formula needs to be adjusted, and I don't have a problem making it a more fair and equitable allocation to our lower-performing districts. However, I would ask, is that really solving the "problem". The State of Connecticut needs to look at better poverty policy in regard to educating ALL of our students. If students in a lower-performing district do not have a proper meal or family support, they are not going to learn in school. Sending more money to that district is not going to solve the real "problem". CT needs to understand and address THAT.

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

I enjoy a vast array of music, and have the ability to see the beauty and potential in old, worn things....whether it is a piece of furniture or an older home.