Reed to Moderate BOE Candidate Forum

Retired Superintendent of Schools John Reed will be moderating a Board of Education Candidates Forum scheduled for 7 p.m., Weds., Oct. 26 at Newtown High School's Lecture Hall.

Newtown's parent-teacher-student associations are organizing the event, which will feature candidates answering two questions that will be given to them ahead of time. People attending the hour-and-a-half forum also will be allowed to submit questions prior to the start of the event and organizers may chose to ask those questions during the forum. Questions from the audience wouldn't be taken once the forum starts.

The Board of Education is shaping up to be one of the most contested races this year with seven candidates vying for four open slots. Only one of the candidates is now serving on the board – Keith Alexander – though he was appointed to his seat and is now running to stay on it.

The other candidates are Laura Main (Independent Party of Newtown), Cody McCubbin (Republican), Eric Paradis (Democrat), Laura Roche (Republican), Dan Shea (Democrat) and John Vorous (Democrat). Vorous will be unable to attend the event but will submit a statement that will be read during the forum, organizers said.

The two questions being asked of candidates ahead of time are:

1. What do you see as the role of the BOE? How involved (and to what level) should board members be invovled in the day-to-day aspects of the education system? Please give an example (other than the transportation system).
2. What should be the top objective(s) of the BOE? What aspects of Newtown Public Schools should be preserved or enhanced? Please give an example?

The PTAs and Newtown High School PTSA do not endorse candidates, according to the flyer submitted by organizers.