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Ellen Retelle

Running for Board of Finance

3 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Democrat

CEP Status:

Website: http://avonctdems.org/retellebof/

Age: 59

Marital Status:

Current Residence: Avon

Current Job: Director of Teaching and Learning, CREC

Previous Job: Associate Professor, Central Connecticut State University

Previous Job: Assistant Professor, University of Lethbridge

Education: Ph.D.

Why are you running for this office?
I am running for the the Avon Board of Finance because Avon needs fresh ideas, different perspectives, and a long term plan to grow and thrive.
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)?
I think the most pressing issue is how the changes in the state budget will affect local communities. The Democrat-lead School Board was fiscally responsible and conscientious when they approved a budget that would mitigate any loss of funds. I think it is critical the Board of Finance work closely with the Board of Education to ensure that Avon Schools have the resources and finances to provide a quality and rigorous education to all children and youth who are enrolled in the schools.
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 single most important thing that I can do, as a member of the Board of Finance, is to examine ways that Avon raises revenues to support the town. This might mean cooperating with other communities and/or organizations to ensure there are sufficient resources for all of our services.
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?
I would want to examine all options before making a decision. It would be premature to identify any specific way to replace lost revenue.
Are you in favor of regionalizing more services in conjunction with other nearby communities? If so, which ones?
Yes. Decisions about which services would be influenced by what would complement Avon and the other communities.
Should your school district get the same amount of education funding from the state if your district's enrollment is dropping?
The state needs to fix the ESC because the formula is broken. The factors that need to be considered is a specific amount of money for each student. Then, socioeconomic status, special education, language, gifted and talented would be factored into a per pupil cost.
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I have an organic garden; picking and cooking vegetables throughout the summer is
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