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Paula Talty

Running for Board of Education

4 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Democrat

CEP Status:

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Age: 60

Marital Status: Single

Current Residence: Vernon

Current Job: Professor

Previous Job: Superintendent of Schools

Previous Job:

Education: Doctorate in Education

Why are you running for this office?
I feel that my experiences as an educator can best strengthen the efforts by our Board of Education to continue to support our schools so that all children experience an excellent education in Vernon.
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)?
Our community has changed. We have many students living in poverty and we need to provide the skills and experiences all students need to become productive and successful citizens. Education is a way out of poverty and a way to a better life for all students. I would continue to support the work currently being done in the schools to address achievement gaps and look for opportunities to promote enrichment for our children.
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?
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?
Are you in favor of regionalizing more services in conjunction with other nearby communities? If so, which ones?
I am in favor of community collaboration. I think that communities can come together and share services to address needs more efficiently. Successful schools work closely with the town to identify areas for cooperation such as bulk purchasing, consolidation of technology services and other creative ideas.
Should your school district get the same amount of education funding from the state if your district's enrollment is dropping?
Each school district has specific needs. In Vernon, we have some segments of our community that have significant needs. We must address the needs of all of our students. I do believe that the state needs to develop an education funding formula that makes sense and fulfills the promises we've made to our families - to provide a quality education for every child in the community.
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
Most people don't know that I am bilingual - my mother is French Canadian. I grew up speaking both English and French.
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