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Forum Highlights School Board Candidates

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Forum Highlights School Board Candidates

By Eliza Hallabeck

Board of Education hopefuls spoke during a candidates’ forum hosted by the Newtown PTAs and PTSA on Wednesday, October 26, at Newtown High School.

While Democratic candidate John Vouros, a veteran Newtown teacher of 35 years, was unable to attend the meeting, he submitted answers to the two prepared questions that were read on his behalf during the event. Candidates present were Republican Keith Alexander, who currently serves on the school board, IPN member Laura Main, Republican Cody McCubbin, Democrat Eric Paradis, Republican Laura Roche, and Democrat Dan Shea.

Mr Alexander and Mr Shea are both running for an open two-year seat on the board, while the other five candidates are vying for three open four-year terms.

Former superintendent of schools John Reed moderated the event.

Near the end of the evening, Mr Reed said he believes it is vital that volunteers run for the Board of Education.

The candidates were asked to prepare responses for two questions before attending the event, and read those responses for the gathered audience. The first question was: What do you see as the role of the BOE? How involved (and to what level) should board members be in the day-to-day aspects of the education system? Please give an example (other than the transportation issue). The second question was: 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 candidates also gave introductions and explained their reasons for wanting to join the Board of Education.

Mr Alexander began the night by explaining his family moved to Newtown 16 years ago based on the education his children would receive in Newtown. When his children were younger, he said, he began getting involved, and later, when his children were older, he started attending Board of Education meetings.

“So when the position became open last November, I went ahead and applied to get more directly involved,” said Mr Alexander.

Ms Main said she has worked in the field of education for more than 30 years as a classroom teacher, an instructor for the gifted, and also as an instruction specialist. She is also a doctoral student at Western Connecticut State University, studying instructional leadership.

“I’ve served locally on the executive board of the Children’s Adventure Center for over ten years,” said Ms Main. “I’m also a member of the Newtown schools advisory board, created and contributed to the viral family resource center, [and] I have been an active member of Trinity Church for over ten years as well.”

Mr McCubbin said his family recently moved to the area, and he has two children who are about to enter into the school system. He also said he has an background in finance, and works for an international energy company.

“I believe that my expertise in finance can really help the Board of Education in meeting financial needs and [in understanding] where we can enhance the budget and where we can actually … be more flexible,” said Mr McCubbin

Mr Paradis, who has worked as a special education teacher and currently works as a special education administrator, asked the audience members to raise their hands if they believe Newtown Public Schools properly prepare students for college and future careers. After hands were raised, he asked roughly two-thirds of the room to lower their hands, and said the remaining audience members with their hands up reflected the percentage of parents of special education students that feel their children are properly prepared.

“That is part of why I am running,” said Mr Paradis. “We need to look at and help our students with disabilities, our parents, our families, promote these students’ education, because they are the ones who are going to be paying taxes in the future and helping our town [and community] to move forward.”

Ms Roche spoke next, saying it is her volunteerism in schools over the years that has been her most important job. She has volunteered at multiple schools, and served on the board of Wesley Learning Center for five years. Ms Roche also listed her background in sales and finance. She also worked to fundraise at Sandy Hook School, including leading the effort to begin the Family Fun Picnic day, “which at the time actually funded all the SmartBoards for the fourth grade.”

“I was on the Reed scheduling committee where there were problems with the schedule over at Reed,” Ms Roche said, “and I advocated for Reed families. I organized over 130 parents to speak as an advocate on their behalf. And that is actually what brought me to the board. I felt on that side, where you guys all sit, it is very hard to get what you want said, and I think being on this side I can help advocate that.”

 Mr Shea, who moved to Newtown 43 years ago with his family due to the school district’s reputation, is a retired high school English teacher from Masuk. He currently edits academic papers for the New Haven/Yale community, according to a handout at the event.

Mr Shea also listed his multiple community efforts in Newtown, including he and his wife’s involvement in the St Rose of Lima choir. He also spoke to the country’s overall academic performance as compared to other countries.

“The rest of the world has shown they take education very seriously, and it is time for us to respond with conviction, to prioritize quality education for all, to realize the importance of a rigorous education for our children,” said Mr Shea. “Let’s give a glorious gift to the children of Newtown; an education that will serve them well as they prepare to step upon the world’s stage.”

While Mr Vouros was out of the country and could not attend the forum, NHS PTSA member Jen Scarangella read his prepared answers and background for the audience.

“Having taught at the Newtown Public Schools for 35 years, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge about the philosophy of the district, and how it could be better implemented,” Mr Vouros wrote.

Mr Vouros also wrote that while serving the community with patience, compassion, open-mindedness, honesty, and dedication, he also looks forward to “having a positive influence on our children.”

Video highlights from the event, a PDF version of a handout with candidate information, and a full audio recording of the evening is available with this story at www.newtownbee.com.

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