2011 Candidate Profiles - Board of Education

Vernon Patch is happy to present Board of Education candidate profiles for the 2011 election.

The candidates were asked to present a biography and answer several  questions. The candidates who returned profile forms are included.

The candidates appear in the order in which they are listed on the ballot.

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Board of Education, four-year term

Paul Stansel, Democrat

Please compose a brief candidate biography outlining your experience, qualifications and accomplishments.

• Current Board of Education Member (2009-2011)
• Founder of VernonVotes
• Member, Board of Education Curriculum Committee
• Member, Board of Education Facilities Committee
• Member, Board of Education Technology Committee
• Member of Northeast School PTO
• Member of the Vernon Democratic Town Committee
• Two Children at Northeast School in Vernon
• Sr. Network Engineer, Aetna Insurance
• Proud alumni of the U.S. Army Signal Detachment, 7th Special Forces Group (1995-1998)
• 1992 RHS Graduate and Golden Goose Alumni
• Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology, University of Phoenix

Q: Is it possible to hold the line on education spending and present the mayor a spending plan with no increase for the next fiscal year?

A: The Board of Ed is already contractually obligated to pay increases for most bargaining units next year. Wages and benefits are a large portion of the Board's budget, and the only way to deliver a zero increase budget would be to cut people or programs. Additionally we have programs that were funded by the 1.2 million dollars Congressman Courtney secured for the district. That money is gone in 10 months and we need to decide if we will continue to fund those programs out of the Board's budget. We have already spent the last few years making serious cuts just to keep the increases to a minimum that the Town Council and public would accept. Our operational budgets at the individual school level are ridiculously low and have no room for more cuts. If it wasn't for grants and the great work by PTOs we wouldn't have many of the learning opportunities the kids get. We've greatly reduced the margin of error in our budget estimates with encumbrances and more pricing controls on health care and energy, but many factors remain completely outside our ability to control. Magnet school tuition and special education costs particularly are unfunded or underfunded mandates that we are legally required to provide and that we have to take a best guess at when we craft the budget.  So no, I won't promise that. It would be misleading and irresponsible.

Q: When it comes to standardized tests, many of our schools have underperformed regarding state or federal guidelines. What can we do to improve test scores or should less emphasis be placed on them?

A: The CMTs are only one measurement of achievement.  We absolutely need them to improve, but the danger becomes teaching to the test rather than making kids actual learners. We are developing some great data on the strengths and weaknesses of our curriculum and will be looking at that in a much deeper way than we ever did before. Connecticut has applied for the NCLB waiver (as did most states) so the CMTs may go back to more of an advisory test to compliment other screening methods. Personally I think that would be a much needed improvement.  We can put the emphasis back on educating our kids.

Q: Is there one area of the curriculum that deserves praise? Also, what academic areas need improvement and what would you do to improve them?
 
A: The ECE program, which allows students to receive college credit for high school classes, has been a huge success. I would like to see us continue to expand those efforts because it gives high schoolers both college credits they can use and, in some cases, the incentive to want to go to college. Just those few credits can get a kid off on the right foot and make their college experience much more of a success. We've sent kids to college with enough credits to have officially completed the first half of their freshman year. In terms of areas that need improvement, we see a very troubling drop-off between seventh- and ninth-grade Reading. We need to look at what we are doing prior to that, and where we aren't succeeding.  Is it something in the classroom, or are their other contributing factors like the way the test is constructed.  Reading is the fundamental basis for all learning.
 
Q: Do you think the town is politically polarized and, if so, would that turn off someone researching the community for potential relocation?
 
A: Yes, we are.  Does that turn people off? I have to assume so. We tend to get fairly insular in politics and things that we sometimes feel are important often don't even register on the community level. Our involvement in other organizations such as PTOs, community groups, and even door knocking in a campaign all help to remind us what is important. For the Board of Ed, when you elect me you expect me to do the best job I can for our children. We may have different ideas on how to get there, but that is (or should be) the goal for any Board of Education candidate. Partisan bickering aside, that is what all of us should be striving for and how you should judge any candidate. 

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Dean Houle, Republican

Please compose a brief candidate biography outlining your experience, qualifications and accomplishments.

• Lifelong resident of Vernon, Father of (3) children who have gone through the Vernon Public Schools.
• Board of Education Member since 2003, current Vice Chair. Have participated in many contract negotiations as a member of negotiating committee, also have participated on the finance and facilities committees, and participated in the hiring of the current Superintendent of school.
• Member of the School Building Advisory Commission since 2005 responsible for  68 million dollar school renovation project execution.

Q: Is it possible to hold the line on education spending and present the mayor a spending plan with no increase for the next fiscal year?

A: I can’t say what next year’s budget will look like until we fully vet the Superintendent's budget request when it’s presented to the Board of Education during our 2011 budget workshops. It’s my responsibility as a member of the Board of Education to present a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of the Vernon Public Schools to the Mayor and Town Council.

Q: When it comes to standardized tests, many of our schools have underperformed regarding state or federal guidelines. What can we do to improve test scores or should less emphasis be placed on them?

A: As expected the bar has been raised a few times over my eight-year tenure on the Board and at some point the expectation is 100 percent proficiency. As a Board member I need to encourage and support efforts by the Administration to: 1) review annual results and identify area needing improvement 2) make appropriate adjustments in curriculum to fill gaps or to address new standards 3) hold ALL students and staff to the highest standards.  

Q: Is there one area of the curriculum that deserves praise? Also, what academic areas need improvement and what would you do to improve them?
 
A: I need to listen to the Superintendent and Administrations assessment of areas needing improvement (which we have several) as I am not an educator. I need to support budget and facilities requests that are made to address needed improvements and I also need to adjust Board of Education policies where appropriate. Finally, I need to make sure that the Superintendent's goals/objects address student achievement and ensure that the annual Superintendent evaluation addresses those goals/objectives.

Q: Do you think the town is politically polarized and, if so, would that turn off someone researching the community for potential relocation?
 
A: Once I take the oath of office, I have conducted myself in a professional manor and make decisions based on what I believe is in the best interest of the Vernon Public Schools and Town of Vernon. I treat ALL Board members with respect and expect the same in return. I think anyone researching the community would find Board of Education meeting well run, interesting, and I welcome them to attend. 

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Laura Bush, Republican

Please compose a brief candidate biography outlining your experience, qualifications and accomplishments.

Education: Masters of Science in Reading/Language Education from Eastern Connecticut State University 05/2008; Bachelor of Arts in Education in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University, 04/1995; Associate in Arts from Palm Beach Community College 12/1989.

I am a present member of the Vernon Board of Education for two years. I serve on the Curriculum, Facilities, and Technology Committees on the Board of Education. 

I have had 16 years of teaching experience. As a teacher I have served as a grade chairperson, Math and Social Studies program adaption committees, Reading/Language Arts Teacher Interview Committee, Reading/Language Arts Curriculum Development Committee, Math Curriculum Review Committee, Professional Development Committee, Student Discipline Committee Chair Person, Technology Committee, School Advisory Committee, Student Writing  Committee, Math Committee, Student Needs Committee, Math Fair Committee, Student Involvement Committees. As an involved parent and teacher I have also had experience as a RAGE Robotics Team 173 Mentor, FIRST Robotics Key Volunteer and Trainer, and First Lego League Coach.  As a parent I have been a classroom volunteer and a room mom for my children’s classes. 

Q: Is it possible to hold the line on education spending and present the mayor a spending plan with no increase for the next fiscal year? 

A: Vernon’s Board of Education has done a tremendous job of keeping track of spending under control for the two years I have been on the board. The budget committee as well as the board will continue to be thrifty when making future decisions on the budget.

Q: When it comes to standardized tests, many of our schools have underperformed regarding state or federal guidelines. What can we do to improve test scores or should less emphasis be placed on them?

A: I feel the key here is to look at the growth of the students. There has been improvement in many areas on the test. The CMT and CAP tests are only one data point to show student success. Although the State and the press report only these tests, the successes of these students should be honored alongside the standardized test scores.

Q: Is there one area of the curriculum that deserves praise? Also, what academic areas need improvement and what would you do to improve them?

A: I was just in a Curriculum meeting where I saw the updated Language Arts Curriculum worked on by the school’s administration and teachers this summer. I have to tell you that I was very impressed with the information in this curriculum as well as the work, thought and understanding of the skills the students need to be successful. The Vernon teachers are committed to meeting the need of the students from pre K to 12th grade.  Over the past two years and as a parent Vernon parent for almost 10 years I have seen the schools work to meet the needs of all students.

Q: Do you think the town is politically polarized and, if so, would that turn off someone researching the community for potential relocation?

A: I can tell you that I chose to live in Vernon over 11 years ago when I relocated. I liked the diverse community with a lot to offer my family. Vernon is a town that I can be proud of because of its commitment to education, the services provided to its residents, and its location along with many other positives. 

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Board of Education, two-year-term

Terri J. Goldich, Democrat

Please compose a brief candidate biography outlining your experience, qualifications and accomplishments.

I have served on the Board of Education since April of 2011, when I was appointed to replace Susan Norlie-Hesnan. I have a BA from UConn and an MLS(Master’s of Library Science) from Southern, and have worked in the field of higher education for over 30 years. As a librarian, I see first-hand that incoming freshmen do not always have the skills they need to succeed in college as they struggle through the remedial courses they are required to take to “bring them up to speed.”  As a member of the Board of Education, I want to work to ensure that our children graduate from the Vernon school system well prepared for their future, whether it means college or the work force. I served on the Planning and Zoning Commission (2004-2006) and have been active in local politics.  In addition, I currently serve on the Policy review subcommittee for the Board, as part of a team reviewing and revising each and every one of its policies, checking for new legal requirements and consistency with other policies. This is fascinating work and I hope to be able to continue.

Q: Is it possible to hold the line on education spending and present the mayor a spending plan with no increase for the next fiscal year?

A: The Board of Education is required to adhere to negotiated agreements, many of which include increases for the next fiscal year. The personnel accounts are by far the largest portion of the Board’s budget. Obviously it is impossible to predict all situations the Board will need to fund (consider the weather last winter!) but the Board of course looks carefully at all obligations and works very hard to keep spending at appropriate levels.  With Dr. Conway, a revised and up-to-date accounting system, and a new budget director in place, the Board will be able to send forward a budget that is accurate and will meet the needs of the system.    

Q: When it comes to standardized tests, many of our schools have underperformed regarding state or federal guidelines. What can we do to improve test scores or should less emphasis be placed on them?

A: Student achievement is a complex issue that relies upon many factors for improvement. Underprivileged students historically perform at a lower level than less-disadvantaged students, so issues of poverty and nutrition are being addressed by the school system and the community. Increasing parental involvement in the school as well as in their student’s education is a goal that school leaders, parents, and students share to promote continued improvement. A relatively new, system-wide program designed by education experts at the state level is in place to address school climate, spearheaded by Assistant Superintendent Deborah Murasso. In addition, many states, including Connecticut, have applied for No Child Left Behind waivers, so that the absolute power of the test score will be reduced to allow the teachers, staff and the Board to concentrate on the data collected and presented recently to improve curriculum across the system.  

Q: Is there one area of the curriculum that deserves praise? Also, what academic areas need improvement and what would you do to improve them?

A: Advanced classes such as honors, advanced placement, and early college experience classes are clearly winners in terms of providing students with early credits toward their college careers. Areas for improvement are clearly indicated in the data analysis presented to the Board recently which merits close scrutiny to discern trends. These data, using graphs and charts, presented information on just about everything that can be quantified, such as scores in reading, mathematics, CMTs, CAPTs, discipline, attendance, and so forth, for each grade and each school.  Clearly success in reading and mathematics needs to be reinforced at almost every grade level. One chart that is very interesting is the discipline chart, specifically the number of detentions and suspensions given at each of the schools. The school administrators will be working with the central office and the Superintendent to ensure that the disciplinary criteria are consistent system-wide. The data document is available in each school office, at the Board offices, and at the Library.

Q: Do you think the town is politically polarized and, if so, would that turn off someone researching the community for potential relocation?

A: The members of the Board of Education clearly act in the best interests of the students of Vernon, regardless of party affiliation.  Our school system is an attractive facet of our town. The Board of Education works well with the Superintendent and other administrators, and is responsive to parents, students, teachers, and all members of the community. I hope that the fractiousness shown by some members of the Town Council will disappear following the November election and the town moves forward as one.  

• • •

David Kemp, Republican

Please compose a brief candidate biography outlining your experience, qualifications and accomplishments.

Vernon resident since 1970; married (Judith), children (Greg/Molly) both attended Vernon school system K-12 (RHS); retired (Xerox 32 yrs); B.A. Univ of Vermont; US Army Artillery veteran, 1Lt. Germany; elected Bd of Educ '87 to present; Permanent Municipal Building Cmte 8 years; Ct Assn of Bds of Educ Board of Directors 12 yrs; Candidate Master Bd of Educ certification; Vernon Historical Society; Friends of Valley Falls; Charter member Vernon Land Trust; Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award

Q: Is it possible to hold the line on education spending and present the mayor a spending plan with no increase for the next fiscal year?  

A: It is unlikely the Board of Education budget will reflect no increase next fiscal year despite controlled spending given the absence of federal ARRA funds, questionable state ECS grant support, inadequate special education cost reimbursement and increasing magnet school tuitions.
 
Q: When it comes to standardized tests, many of our schools have underperformed regarding state or federal guidelines. What can we do to improve test scores or should less emphasis be placed on them?

A:  Not only should less emphasis be placed on standardized tests, they are and have been an inaccurate measure of the quality of education Vernon students receive, focusing on limited subject areas at the expense of others; they waste valuable financial resources and instructional time.
 
Q: Is there one area of the curriculum that deserves praise? Also, what academic areas need improvement and what would you do to improve them?

A: Several areas of the curriculum deserve praise such as early childhood education, continuation of emphasis on reading, advanced placement and college level course offerings, the STEM initiative on science and technology and emphasis on acquisition of skills for the 21st century. I would support needed improvement of our educational technology infrastructure.
 
Q: Do you think the town is politically polarized and, if so, would that turn off someone researching the community for potential relocation?

A:  The balance of power in Vernon rests in the large number of residents who consider themselves politically neutral which I believe someone researching Vernon and its excellent school system would find attractive.

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William Nicholson, Republican

Please compose a brief candidate biography outlining your experience, qualifications and accomplishments.

I am a current member of the Local Historic Properties Commission and Permanent Municipal Buildings Committee. I am also an active member of the Vernon Republican Town Committee.  My most important experience is being a parent of two young children and wanting the best for them.

Q: Is it possible to hold the line on education spending and present the mayor a spending plan with no increase for the next fiscal year?  

A: No one can predict the future; the budget will be developed with the facts available at that time.      

Q: When it comes to standardized tests, many of our schools have underperformed regarding state or federal guidelines. What can we do to improve test scores or should less emphasis be placed on them?

A: The focus should be on providing the best overall education possible in all subject areas, test results are not the best measure of the quality of the education provided.

Q: Is there one area of the curriculum that deserves praise? Also, what academic areas need improvement and what would you do to improve them?

A: All deserve praise and the Board of Education, administrators and teachers should continue their work to improve the overall curriculum. The goal should be to expose students to an education across all subjects.
   
Q: Do you think the town is politically polarized and, if so, would that turn off someone researching the community for potential relocation?
 
A: The nation is very polarized and the environment in Vernon is a reflection of this.