School Board q&A

WARWICK-In Tuesday's election, residents of the Warwick Valley School District will elect four people to the school board - three people to three-year terms and one to a one-year unexpired term. In preparation for the elections, The Warwick Advertiser's Linda Smith Hancharick asked the five candidates seeking those four seats on the board three questions each. Four responded. Here are their answers (candidates are listed in alphabetical order): • John Connolly Age: 42 Occupation: Owner - Insurance Restoration Company Education Level: Bachelor of Arts Degree in English/Finance Previous elected experience: None Children in district: 4 Volunteer work: Coach of recreation teams. 1. What do you bring to the table if you are elected to the board of education? I would bring hands-on experience. I have a child in each level of education (H.S., M.S. and Elementary) so I feel I have a connection to each. My wife is a teacher at Park Avenue which gives me an understanding of the behind the scenes effort that goes into schools. I am involved with various recreation programs, drama, chorus and band. I have involvement with the community in varying segments. My business background is one of negotiations, a give and take. This would help in the area of resolving differences and implementing plans as well as seeing that they are carried out. 2. The Warwick Valley School District is currently searching for a new superintendent. What expectations do you have for the individual who will ultimately take that position? One of the greatest opportunities for this next board is the selection of the new superintendent. WVCSD currently has excellent academic scores and much of the budget is mandated. Just a small percentage of the total budget is earmarked for athletics and extra curricular activities. These are the things that I feel make a community thrive. One of the first things people ask when buying a home is "how are the schools?" Our new superintendent has to be fiscally responsible, listen to the community and help advance our district in all areas together. 3. Growth in the school district has been a factor for many years. Is the district equipped to handle the growth that is coming in the next five years? Explain. Sure growth will affect the school district. However, the district recently went through a major expansion with additions to Pine Island, the middle and high schools, and the building of Sanfordville Elementary School. If growth becomes an issue again in the next five years, we will have to assess all of our facilities and assure that all available space is being utilized to its fullest potential. • Robert Howe Age: 62 Occupation: Small business owner Education Level: B.A. in Business, University of Washington Previous elected experience: Warwick School Board, 12 years; current vice president. Children in district: Daughter graduated from Warwick High School in 1996. Volunteer work: Active in church. 1. What do you bring to the table if you are elected to the board of education? Commitment, energy, caring and a sense of humor. I have put in the extra time and effort to learn about the education and workings of our district. And I will continue to do so. Rather than relying solely on the administration for information, I seek out input from staff and parents. By attending many workshops and talking regularly with board members in other districts, I am able to bring new ideas and "best practices" to our district. 2. The Warwick Valley School District is currently searching for a new superintendent. What expectations do you have for the individual who will ultimately take that position? We are a fiscally sound and well-organized district with high expectations for our students. We want a superintendent who will maintain that solid foundation and continue to move us forward, a highly motivated individual who is dedicated to the education of all students and is able to bring a collaborative attitude to the district. 3. Growth in the school district has been a factor for many years. Is the district equipped to handle the growth that is coming in the next five years? Explain. Our district is in good shape. The growth of the student population is leveling off. We have classrooms in reserve at our newest elementary school. These rooms, which currently are being leased to BOCES, will be available to us when needed. There are replacement and improvement projects that previously had been put aside because of budget constraints due to growth. Now it is time to proceed with these projects through either a small bond issue or by including them in the annual budgets over the next few years. • Coleen Johnson Age: 43 Occupation: Sales Associate - Tommy Bahama; Certified lay advocate focus on education Education: High school graduate Previous elected experience: Three years on the Warwick Valley School Board Children in District: 5 children: two in 12th grade, one in 10th grade, two in 8th grade Volunteer work: I have been a volunteer in the district for 13 years. 1. What do you bring to the table if you are elected to the board of education? I am a member of the New York School Boards Association and the National. I have taken the time to educate myself over the past three years and have taken many workshops. Being on the school board takes a lot of time and commitment. I have been a liaison in the following areas: compact teams and special education. Board of education committees: Policy; Work Place Environment; Congressman Benjamin Gilman's Educational Advisory Committee. 2. The Warwick Valley School District is searching for a new superintendent. What expectations do you have for the individual who will take that position? What I would like to see in our new superintendent? A strong educational leader and good communicator, credible, honest, a person of integrity; visible in the schools and community; experienced in the areas of administration and instruction; live in the community. 3. Growth in the school district has been a factor for many years. Is the district equipped to handle the growth that is coming in the next five years? Explain. Our five-year projections for Warwick Valley is that our growth will peek in 2006-07 school year. My belief is that we are equipped to handle the growth. • Jesus M. Rivera Age: 54 Occupation: Retired NYC warden; presently with Board of Elections Education Level: 2 years college Previous elected experience: None Children in district: 3 grandchildren Volunteer work: Warwick Ambulance Corps., Warwick Lions Club and Warwick VFW Post 4662. 1. What do you bring to the table if you are elected to the board of education? I bring 15 years of managerial experience and fiscal responsibility, but most of all community service and commitment to the Board of Education. 2. The Warwick Valley School District is currently searching for a new superintendent. What expectations do you have for the individual who will ultimately take that position? The new superintendent must not only be an educator but also understand that communications with the tax payers, parents, teachers and the support staff of the Warwick School District is very important. 3. Growth in the school district has been a factor for many years. Is the district equipped to handle the growth that is coming in the next five years? Explain. I believe that the Warwick School District will continue to be the best in the state and will meet any growth with planning and dedication to the district students. Candidate Bruce Ludovicy could not be reached for comment.