Q&A: Dennis Bruce, Candidate for School Committee

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Acton voters will have the opportunity to elect two of three candidates running for School Committee. Incumbent Dennis Bruce spoke with Acton Patch about what he hopes to accomplish should he retain this role.

What motivates you to seek re-election?

I have been lucky enough to serve on the School Committee since June of 2011. In that time I have seen the challenges that we face and the opportunities available to us to make this a better school system than it already is. I want to work with the current administration and school committee to continue to address these challenges.

What experience do you bring to the role?

I believe that I have a diverse background that will continue to serve the School Committee well. Besides being a current School Committee member since June 2011, I have a financial background from my days working as a CPA for a Big 6 Accounting Firm. For the last 17 years, I have worked for technology companies. Currently, I run sales & marketing for a software company based in Florida. From a local perspective I have been a board member of the Gates School PTO for 2 years and a coach in multiple AB youth sports programs. I believe all these experiences in totality give me a unique perspective on the issues currently facing the School Committee.

What, in your opinion, is the biggest challenge facing the School Committee right now? How would you address it?

Our biggest challenge is finding the proper level of funding for the school’s needs. You will always have something to spend money on. Whether it's state mandated services, updates to text books or technology, capital improvements; the list is endless. The School Committee's responsibility is to work with the administration and Central Office to not only find what the proper level of funding is but also where we can scale back spending.

Do you feel that the school budget should be increased, level funded, or cut to help balance the town budget? Why?

I voted for an investment budget this year that increased the spending beyond “level service.” I thought it was appropriate to try and take care of some of the outstanding issues we have at both the APS & District levels. School & Town budgets are inherently intertwined. In an environment where revenues are not going up, any increase in the school budget means less money for the town to work with. As a School Committee member, your job is to advocate for the Schools funding but you need to do it in a way that takes into consideration the municipalities needs and realities.

Should Acton and Boxborough regionalize at the elementary school level? Why or why not?

If it makes economic sense for both towns, then yes, I would support regionalization. At this point, the Regional Study Committee has not finished their work, including all potential savings. They have done enough to prove out that their work should continue.

What is your opinion of the recent developments with respect to teachers assuming more of their health insurance costs?

Teachers and all town employees should be commended for their ability to move aside all emotions and work towards an agreement that all parties felt comfortable with.  In the end, their efforts will save the town a lot of money and could serve as benchmark going forward.

Should Acton’s teachers continue to receive pay increases at a higher rate than other town employees, some of whom have not received increases at all of late (police,e.g.)?

Acton teachers, as well as all union employees, are compensated based upon the terms of their contractual agreements. These agreements are negotiated in good faith at the bargaining table.

Do you agree that Acton families should pay for their children to participate in school sports, drama, and music? Should these “user fees” be eliminated, decreased, or increased?

Should these fees be eliminated, sure, but in reality they will probably at least stay the same if not go up for the foreseeable future. In a perfect world, we would be able to fund all extracurricular activities at 100%. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world and there is a certain cost for participating in these types of activities.

Editor's note: Tomorrow on the Patch, an interview with School Committee candidate, Adria Cohen.