Region 15 Board of Education Candidates Share Goals at Forum

Two statements were mentioned repeatedly by Region 15 Board of Education candidates at the Tuesday, Oct. 25, forum.

1. This is a $60 million budget.
2. The orange has been squeezed.

The candidates acknowledged the tough economic times and shared their platform and opinions on what is overfunded and underfunded in the budget.

Four candidates in Middlebury are vying for two open positions: Fran Brennan, John Cookson, incumbent Joseph Drauss and incumbent Daniel Fitzgerald, Jr.

In Southbury, five candidates are competing for three open Board of Education positions: Jason Buchsbaum, Jennifer Connelly, incumbent Sharon Guck, John Monteleone and Steve Suriani.

The forum will be re-cablecast often until Election Day and will be posted on the Region 15 website.

21st Century Skills

Board candidates talked about what constitutes a 21st century skill and were asked whether they will support budget increases in order to accommodate the inclusion of programs that relate to those skills.

Fitzgerald said the 21st century has changed technology greatly. He is in favor of using e-readers in the classroom, which he said has the dual benefit of teaching 21st century skills and potentially saving money on textbooks.

He advocated the use of e-readers as early as elementary school and said he understands times are tough economically. There are other ways to offer e-readers to students and he said he plans on using his experiences on the Democratic Town Committee to help find alternate ways to fund technology in the classroom.

Second Languages

The elementary level of schooling is also where multiple candidates want to see a second language taught more often.

Connelly said children need to practice solving real world problems and have more second language options available at an earlier age.

Guck said she supports using technology to help students learn. Students need to digest theory and analyze relevance, rather than recite facts, she said. They must also learn leadership, ethics, accountability and social responsibility, she said.

"I would certainly approve expenditures that advance our kids' preparation," said Guck.

Buchsbaum said curriculum must constantly be revamped so it provides the skills students need.

"We're living in an increasingly global and connected society," he said.

The most up-to-date technology needs to be included in the region's strategic plan, said Buchsbaum. When it comes to budgeting for that, he said there are ways to critically look at a budget.

Suriani agreed with Buchsbaum on how connected people are to each other.

"The world is smaller," said Suriani. "It's more interconnected. It's more competitive."

Competition for jobs does not solely come from the next door neighbor or even the next town over: It can come from the next country over, he said.

"We need more technology in the classroom," said Suriani. "We need thinkers who are self-directed. [Students] need to be globally aware and speak the language of our competitors."

Brennan said if programs are added to the district, the underperforming programs must then be looked at so there is a balance.

Cookson advocated the role of parents in how students learn. Communication needs to take place between the teacher and the parent, he said.

Monteleone said incorporating 21st century technology into curriculum is challenging because the rate of change is so high.

"We also need to know: 'What are the jobs that will be available in the 21st century'?" he said.

The school budget is adequate, Monteleone said, adding that board members will have to be creative with it.

Connelly and Cookson both mentioned going through the district's budget on a line-by-line basis.

Class Sizes: Too Big, Too Small or Just Right?

Cookson said he is impressed with the set-up and design of the region's schools and said he hears that class sizes could be smaller.

"What I hear is that they're bigger than what they feel is good for learning ability," he said. "The teachers are there to teach the students."

Once outside of school, the parents should then ask students whether they have homework, he said.

"Do I feel the class sizes are too big?" Cookson said. "I feel they are just where they need to be."

The candidates echoed some of Region 15 Superintendent Frank Sippy's statements from the Monday, Oct. 24, board meeting: Sippy noted that Middlebury Elementary School and Memorial Middle School are experiencing issues with class sizes.

Drauss said class size is an issue that arises every year. If classes are too big, the schools have always provided support, he said.

Suriani said the problems that go along with increased class sizes are alleviated when a teacher is strong.

"I do think a good teacher can handle 25 students better than a not-so-good teacher can handle 20 students," he said.

Fitzgerald said he was comfortable with class sizes at Region 15 when he was a student. He graduated from Pomperaug High School in 2006.

In college though, Fitzgerald said he was uneasy with the larger class sizes and did not have the strategies in place to achieve a high grade in that kind of classroom setting.

"I'd like high school students to take one class in the auditorium with 100-plus students," he said.

Over and Under

Regarding what the district overspends and underspends on, Drauss said technology and books are underfunded. As for overspending, he said the district participates in energy and supply consortiums and he feels they are getting the most for their money.

Fitzgerald echoed Drauss' statements on technology and books. He said he was disappointed by the amount of community engagement during budget workshops and wants to see more participation.

Buchsbaum said he wants to engage in dialogue on how to best use the district's buildings.

Suriani said he wants to offer second languages to lower grades.

Cookson said technology is underfunded but acknowledged how challenging it is to keep up, when an upgrade to a device comes out every six months.

Election Details

The board elections will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Shepardson, 1172 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury.

Southbury's polling locations are as follows:

• Voting District 1 voting station is located at the firehouse on 461 Main St. South.
• Voting District 2 voting station is located at Sacred Heart Church at 910 Main St South.
• Voting District 3 voting station is located at Rochambeau Middle School at 100 Peter Rd.
• Voting District 4 voting station is located at the Jewish Federation of Western Conn. at 444 Main St. North.
• Voting District 5 voting station is located at the Southbury Public Library at 100 Poverty Rd.