School Board Candidates Talk About Issues

Although many are well known for their work in the schools, on the sports field, with volunteer organizations or with the school board, residents learned more about the Board of Education candidates Tuesday night.

The five seeking slots on the Board of Education participated in a candidates’ night with the League of Women Voters of Canton. Four board slots are open and electors can vote for three candidates.

Due to a busy night with candidates from other boards, they were asked just two questions, after which they gave closing statements.

The first question was “What will you do to promote excellence and commitment from Canton School administrators, teachers, parents and students?”

Democrat Gretchen Sonju, the only current board member on stage, said that effort is already off to a great start with a communication plan that involves a web site for the public, teacher-run web sites for kids and parents and other efforts.

“The Board of Education has spent a tremendous amount of time during the last two years working on our communication plan,” Sonju said.

The board also works with administrators on implementing strategic plans, Sonju added.

Laurie McKenna, a Republican seeking office, also mentioned communication but said greater accountability is needed.

“All those people involved, students, faculty, administration the board of ed —  everyone that's involved also has to be accountable to whatever they commit to,” she said. Specifically she said the grading portal is great but lose its full effectiveness when teachers don’t keep it updated.

Republican David Briggs also mentioned communication and accountability, stating that volunteerism from parents and the board of education goes a long way.

“It starts with the parents and it starts with the board of ed  showing volunteerism — and how much that can really help as a solid base for the school district and the school system,” he said.

Democratic candidate Peg Berry said all involved must do their best every day and not have an attitude of “good enough is good enough.” Many national initiatives and mandates have helped those at lower level but not those in the “middle and just below the talented and gifted,” she added.

“I would strive to have every child try to be the very best they can be in their studies and not try to fall into this is good enough,” she said.

Republican Helen Treacy said she had three goals — school alignment, keeping infrastructure updated and improving school climate so children know they can learn, are safe and proud.

“I think when we deal with education, we deal with education as a community,” Treacy said.

The second question for the candidates was What area of the school district do you think that has the most room for improvement?

Sonju said athletics was one area that came to mind and said there’s been a lot talk about making the program stronger and finding the balance with the number of sports and keeping strong programs.

She said keeping the schools, teachers and students up with technology is another area of concentration. 

“These are the avenues in which children are learning today,” Sonju said.

McKenna said the school system should try harder to anticipate situations such as the need for increased space.

“I feel a little bit we’re being reactive rather than being proactive about the situation,” McKenna said.

Briggs said the school system has done a great job in keeping everyone up to date but he said keeping up with technology is a priority.

He mentioned the recent Internet day at the middle school as a positive example of the school teaching about the appropriate use of the Internet.

Berry said her biggest concern was that parents wait until May to get involved in the budget process.

“The time to voice your concerns or to make your wishes known is in early January and not in early May when things really can’t be changed,” Berry said.

Treacy said alignment of teachers, students, and administrators is important.

“I know how important it is for all of these lines to communicate to obtain a goal —  the goal being educating our children to be productive members of a democratic society.”

The candidates ended with a general statement about themselves, their passion for education and the issues they plan to emphasize.

To read more about the candidates and their backgrounds, download the league’s voters guide at http://canton.lwvconnecticut.org/voter-resources.html.

In addition, Patch is running a Q&A with the candidates beginning today.