Notes from Board of Education Candidates Forum on 10/25 at Toquam Elementary School

Here are my notes and thoughts from the Board of Education candidates forum last week, in no particular order:

Monica Hoherchak, a former teacher and parent of 4 Stamford Public School students. Only candidate that has skin in the game, with children in the school. Has been very active in PTO's and school activities for many years. Has passion and committment. Believes that more analysis needs to take place before a decision on closing an elementary school. Also concerned about labeling schools as failing, by the NCLB standards, since if one category is behind then the entire school is also brought down. She is also not convinced that closing an elementary school will actually save any money in the long run.

Jeff Analysis: seems to be status quo candidate, will fit right into the current board structure, also seems predetermined that the Board of Finance is not going to provide necessary funding in the future, based upon previous situations.

Ed Matthews, a retired school teacher, principal and former BoE member. He has been through the budgeting process and understands how to make educationally based decision to balance a budget. Wants to focus on successful schools, determine how/why they are successful and apply those lessons at other schools. Closing schools would be a "rush to judgement" as more analysis needs to be done. Need to restructure underperforming schools.

Jeff's Analysis: seems willing to shake up the current Board. Comes off as a bit of a crumudenly old timer, who knows the system and what needs to be done. Very short direct answers, but to the point. Will bring needed organization to the Board of Education.

Barry Haines, a reinsurance pricing analyst, wants to audit to find out what works at successful schools like Toquam and Westover, and how that can be applied to other schools. Very strong financially and will be able to assist the BoE in dealing with a $200M+ budget. He has no agenda regarding school closings. He wants to base decisions on real data and real information, not on speculative findings.

Jeff's Analysis: Not a great speaker, not a natural born politician. If you are looking for someone with strong financial experience on the board, then he is your man. If you are looking for someone who has committed himself to keeping Toquam open, he is your man.

Karen Murphy, a lawyer, wants to focus on improving Stamfords academic performance and believes that by imrpoving the schools across the board, more people will choose to stay in stamford, not send kids to private schoools and thus increase property values. If there is a solid plan to increase educational performance, the BoFinance will approve reccommended budgets since Stamford schools are now succeeding. She beleives the schools should be audited first to determine the best way to improve them, before any school is closed. Is also concerned about the poor communication between BoE and BoF.
Jeff's Analysis: Angry person with some very good ideas. Not sure how well she will work with others on the BoE. Honestly, this might be a good thing in order to shake things up.

Bob King - Retired from IBM, mentors High School students, believes in increasing attendance zones (instead of bussing neighborhood kids to other schools) around Westover to improve integration and expose more educationally disadvantaged kids to the success at Westover. Curriculum needs to be rigourous for all students, in order to reduce the imbalance between high and low acheiving students. Wants to determine how to involve more parents in the schools activities, concerned that things are happening behind close doors.

Jeff's Analysis: Fine candidate. good ideas. Spending time in the schools, keeps him in touch with what is actually happening on the ground.

Paul Steed, a financial planning specialist, is young, organized and very intelligent. He brings professional board experience that might help bring some additional organization to the BoE. Believes in better use of school resources and critized the idea of shifting children among schools. Believes Technology can help tailor lessons to students abilities. Against closing an elementary school, does not believe it will make a big financial difference.

Jeff's Analysis: Very Organized. Very professional. Brings intelligence to the table. Not sure what he will do for the kids, or the teachers, or the community.

Julia Wade: absent

Jeff's analysis: In several discussions she has been unable to articulate any particular ideas on what she is going ot bring to the BoE. She continually turns the question around and asks what we as parents are going to do, or how many board meetings we have attended in the past.

Jeff's Vote: Matthews, Haines, Murphy

Reference:
Advocate Oct 30 - School Board Hopefuls Debate
Advocate Oct 28 - Redistricting at the Forefront of school races
Advocate Oct 27 - In debate, board candidates avoid details on school closure