By:Anthony Rifilato
School Board President James Scannell, board member Mary Clark and library board candidate Jacqueline Minissale Tsenes fielded written questions from the audience and explained their positions on a number of issues.
Two candidates for the library board, John Candido and Joseph Carroll, who is also running for school board, did not attend the forum due to prior commitments.
Scannell was asked about his views on state tests, and explained that the assessments, as well as stricter mandates as a result of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, "put too much pressure on individual students.
"The state tests are really designed to help students with meeting graduation requirements," Scannell said, adding that Baldwin has a high number of students who graduate and go on to college. "We do a superb job."
Clark agreed, saying that although test scores could be better in the district, the tests put too much pressure on students. But, she added, teachers do an excellent job of keeping up with those requirements.
When asked why the middle school and high school lose some students to private schools, Clark noted that more needs to be done to promote the district's excellent clubs and programs.
"We need to get the word out," she said, adding that the board had tried to do this in 2002 when it hired the public relations firm Syntax Communications, which, she said, "was a fiasco."
But the district is back on track, Clark said. It has switched to an in-house public relations person and is looking to do more to promote the schools.
Both Clark and Scannell said that it was crucial to communicate to parents and the community that the schools are in fact safe and that they are not overrun by gangs. While the district has taken steps to address the issue, they said it is a grossly inaccurate perception.
Clark said she was "not blind" to the issue, and said she asks her own kids if they feel safe, which she said they do. "Maybe we do need to do more," she said, "and that is always on our minds."
Both noted an article written by high school students saying that they felt safe at school, and that a number of initiatives have been taken to improve security at the schools, such as an increase in staff and deans at the middle and high schools. "I think that these things have enhanced security," said Scannell.
Scannell said that the district's science and technology labs and other amenities are often overlooked, and said that with all the resources that are available to students, "They're not going to get a better education anywhere else.
"We need to do a better job of communicating these things to the community," he said.
But both Scannell and Clark expressed frustration with a lack of state education aid, and said that Baldwin is significantly underfunded, which places a greater burden on taxpayers.
Clark said that Gov. George Pataki's proposal to use video gambling terminals to generate education aid isn't the answer, and that the board continues to lobby for adequate funding and reform to building aid.
Another challenge that the district faces is the search for a new superintendent, a process that began two years ago, since Superintendent Kathy Weiss will be retiring at the end of the 2004-05 school year.
Both were asked what qualities the board looks for in a superintendent. Scannell said it should be the kind of person not only committed to the district, but willing to work 15 hour days, with a long-term vision -- someone who is an advocate for teachers. "I think it has to be somebody that has focus and determination while keeping us fiscally responsible," Scannell said.
Library board candidate holds her own
The public also had the opportunity to hear from library board candidate Jacqueline Tsenes, who was asked what kind of programs she would support at the library, such as lectures and guest speakers.
"I'd like all of those things and more," said Tsenes, a lifelong Baldwin resident and Meadow Elementary School PTA member.
Tsenes said that the library's after-school program, which in part provides students with ESL help, is beneficial to the community and should be continued. "I think this speaks to the needs of the community," she said.
Tsenes, who said she attended four library board meetings before throwing her hat into the race, said that she is committed to conducting a fair union contract and developing a fiscally responsible budget while continuing to provide quality programs for kids and adults.
"It would be an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity," she said.
