BOE candidates state their case at forum

The custodial staff inside the district office gymnasium had to take out a few more folding chairs to make sure everyone comprising the large crowd had a place to sit last Monday. Four community members, running for two seats on the Board of Education, were about to begin sharing their thoughts on important education issues and state why they deserve a spot on the board.

During the 90-minute candidates forum, which the Baldwin Council of PTAs hosted, two incumbents — Eric Harrison and Mary Jo O’Hagan — and two challengers — Annie Doresca and George Siberon — answered questions on a variety of issues, including the Gap Elimination Adjustment (which the state enacted in 2009 to close its budget deficit by taking money from school district aid), Common Core-based state assessments and budgetary items.

The candidates offered similar responses to most of the 11 questions asked. Maintaining programs and bolstering education opportunities for students while keeping a close eye on the district’s tax levy was a goal for each candidate.

All four candidates said they were in favor of the 2015-16 budget. Trustee Eric Harrison, who abstained from the vote while his four board colleagues adopted the budget in March, said he thought the budget was solid, but still had questions regarding transportation spending, which is why he abstained.

The district hired a transportation consultant earlier in the school year and is now saving $50,000 a month on those expenses, according to district officials. Harrison said there were still “question marks” about transportation spending, adding it’s an expense that must be carefully looked at moving forward.