BOE Candidates Make Their Case

More research, better communication, input from the public and teachers, advocacy of a liberal arts education, transparency of finances were among the several issues brought up during Wednesday's Board of Education Candidates Forum.

The parent-teacher associations throughout town hosted the hour-and-half forum during which candidates answered questions about what they would bring to the board if elected and their views on the role of the board.

About 60 people attended the forum at Newtown High School, which featured former Superintendent of Schools John Reed as moderator. The education board races promise to be one of the most closely watched municipal elections, particularly as the board has had to wrestle with several high-profile issues this year, such as and the , in addition to the .

Republican Keith Alexander, the only candidate already on the board and who is campaigning against Democrat Dan Shea for a two-year term, said he and his wife moved to Newtown about 16 years specifically for the education system.

"We did a lot of research ahead of time because we wanted to find the best town in the area so that we can move in and stay and get our kids the best education that we can get them," Alexander said. "We have two children in the system now and I want to make sure that Newtown continues to offer programs that my kids have already benefited from."

He said his best qualities were in research, and believed that the board's focus needs to be in the classroom.

"The top objective of the board has to be what is in the best educational interest of the students," Alexander said. "You start there and work you way around."

Shea, a 43-year resident in town who is a retired Masuk High School English teacher, advocated for a rigorous broad-base liberal arts program in Newtown, saying the academic atmosphere has eroded over the years as seen by, among other things, an increase in student absentism, allowance of evening sporting events on school days and emphasis on socialization and fleeting trade or technology skills that will be outdated by the time students graduate and start work.

"We have lost our rigor, our academic drive," Shea said.

The other candidates who are running for full four-year terms, including Independent Party of Newtown candidate Laura Main, who holds advanced degrees in education and teacher and adminstrator certifications in the state, said she was looking to bring her research and analytical skills to the board.

"The culture of the Board of Education needs to shift to one that analyzes data on a regular basis and takes action," she said, adding she would advocate for improving communication at the board, including drawing up surveys and making the budget process easier for parents and taxpayers to understand. "This information needs to be regularly sought and valued."

Republican Cody McCubbin, who moved to town from the Midwest about a year ago and is married with 4- and 5-year-old sons, has advanced degrees in finance and works for one of the largest energy companies in the country.

"My expertise in finance could really help the Board of Education," he said.

McCubbin said as a newcomer to the town, he would listen to the community and bring the public's concerns to the board.

"It comes down to culture and expectations," he said. "It's our job to understand the needs of the parents and taxpayers and funnel that through the board and through the school."

Democrat Eric Paradis said he was partially motivated to run for a board position to help advocate for students with disabilities. He said the board needs to pay more attention to what the community values and rebuild trust.

"The Board of Ed needs to lead and look at the value and culture of the community and teach that value to our top brass," he said, referring to the "top brass" as the superintendent and other district leaders. "Teaching them what we value as a town will help them deliver what we think is best for our children."

Republican Laura Roche, a 12-year town resident and stay-at-home mom with a background in finance and sales, has been actively attending board meetings for the past year as an outspoken parent, which was one of the reasons she said she was motivated to run for the board. Roche said she believed making and following policy, listening to parents, showing fiscal responsibility and making data driven decisions were priorities.

"I really want to be an advocate for you and speak for you and understand all of your concerns and everything that you are frustrated with or happy with," she said.

Democrat John Vorous, who also is running for the board but was out of the country on a family commitment, had a statement of his read to the audience. Vorous is a retired Newtown educator with 35 years of experience best remembered for his role in the Discovery Program for Intellectually Gifted Students.

He pledged to use his expertise to visit and talk with teachers and adminstrators to understand what their needs are and relay that information to the superintendent of schools, though he has been told that might run counter to the goal of boards of education, which typically rely on the superintendent to give them that information.

"That concept, in all honesty, does not sit well with me," Vorous said in his statement. "Consequently, if there cannot be an open and honest dialogue established on an ongoing basis, I, as a hopeful BOE member, will have an even more difficult challenge maintaining existing programs and fostering new and more productive ones."

Editor's note (amended): Each of the candidates were asked to submit to Newtown Patch a written copy of their answers to two questions posed by the parent-teacher associations prior to the start of the event. Those candidate answers will be posted as they are received. (Those that have been submitted are posted above as .pdf files – see the area below the photo of the event) Also attached as a .pdf file is a bio sheet event organizers put together of the candidates.