BOE Debate at City Hall

A debate last night with the candidates for the Norwalk Board of Education gave approximately two hundred voters a final opportunity to hear from the incumbents and their challengers firsthand. During the one and a half hour debate the eight candidates were asked six questions.

With only four days left until the election the candidates spoke about board transparency, defining high standards, over populated schools,  their ideal superintendent, special education, and budget priorities. 

"The debate definitely changed my mind," said Jane Robillard, a parent in the audience after the debate.  "For example, I didn't know that special education was such a big issue.  I want someone on the board who is going to pay attention to that."

BOE Board Chair Rosa Murray repeatedly described the difference between the boards policy making role and the administration's operational role and that the two were being confused.   Sal Corda's name came up several times during the debate by both Republicans and Democrats.  In addition there was considerable time spent on the problems and  high cost of special education in the district. 

The first topic addressed at the debate was about the importance of transparency.  Candidates were asked about specific ways they would  increase transparency at the board level. Most candidates interpreted the question to be about the need for communication between the BOE and parents which has become one of the major themes of this election.

Heidi Keyes, a Democrat running for the first time and Shirley Mosby, an Democratic incumbent, suggested methods like newsletters and emails to parents would increase the effectiveness of communication.  Erin  Halsey,  a Republican concurred by saying technology could be harnessed.  Sue Haynie, a Republican candidate suggested filming and televising the BOE meetings, holding more informational sessions for parents, and creating budget summaries so that the budget process would be clearer.

However Republicans Steve Colarossi and Artie Kassimis went on the attack criticizing the current BOE members for not answering e-mails and phone calls made by parents and other individuals. This prompted Ms. Murray, a Democrat, to respond that new superintendent should make a communication plan since the board is policy making body.  Amy Jimenez, also a Democrat,  countered by saying that the BOE members cannot respond as individuals to questions. She said that the BOE was a body of nine members and needed to act and speak with a single voice.

The candidates had a tougher time answering the next question about how to set and define "high standards" for the Norwalk school district.   Ms. Keyes and Mr. Colarossi emphasized the importance of early childhood education. Mr. Kassimis said that teachers needed to be engaged more and that as education experts they would know how to raise standards. Ms. Haynie spoke about need to go beyond state standard of  "compliance." She said compliance was not a high enough standard.

Ms. Murray said that the district has been implementing school improvement plans throughout the district by using data teams and improving the quality of after school programs. Ms. Jimenez said that she has been deeply involved in raising the bar.  Through performance plans Norwalk schools are plotting their progress she said. She believes that the NCLB is not leaving and that it requires that students make continual progress. Democrat Shirley Mosby spoke about the fact that several schools made sufficient progress to enter safe harbor status and the importance of differentiated learning.  In response to Ms. Haynie, she said "we need to keep in compliance" in order to eligible for state funds. 

The third question had to do with over crowded schools. The moderator noted that some classrooms were empty while others were bursting at the seams. Ms. Haynie said that schools that had good before and after school programs tended to be in high demand. Mr. Kassimis said the fault lay with the BOE for not anticipating shifts in population and increasing enrollment.

Ms. Jimenez said that the children she knew at Jefferson loved the portable classrooms and that the portables were a responsible way to address the overcrowding problem. She added that a study was commissioned in October to analyze enrollment and facilities planning at the elementary schools.  Ms. Mosby said that the public needs to get involved with the Board of Estimation and Taxation where the budget for capital expenditures is set.  Ms. Keyes said the portables are a short term solutions and that the BOE needs to think about the possibility of expansion longer term.

There was  much agreement when it came time to talk about the qualifications of the ideal superintendent.  The candidates wanted a great leader who loves Norwalk and its diversity.  "We are looking for someone who has the heart of Norwalk,"  said Ms. Murray.

Many candidates said it was important that he or she be visible in the community and be a strong communicator. 

Sal Corda's name came up several time during this part of the debate. "Some of the current board members did vote for Sal Corda," said Ms. Halsey.

Ms. Mosby replied that although she was not on the board at the time of the hiring, Sal Corda was hired to revamp the curicullum, an area of weakness at the time of his hiring.  "He did his job, but things have changed now," she said.  Ms. Jimenez added that the current board voted 9-0 to not renew Mr. Corda's contract.

Steve Colarossi lamented that it has taken four months for the current board to pick a search firm and that the board should be in charge of collecting community feedback, not the search firm.  Community forums have been scheduled for early November.

There was also considerable discussion at the debate about special education. The Republican candidates questioned why there is $400,000 budgeted to fight lawsuits related to services for special education children.  They stated that according to the 2008 CREC report there is a lack of urgency around special education and that there are serious problems in the district.  They brought up the incident with Spectrum Kids, LLC a special education services company that was hired without verification of the credentials of its owners and with which a litigation ensued. 

The Democratic candidates said that the Spectrum Kids incident was the fault of the administration.  Ms. Mosby said that it was the Board who commissioned the CREC report and are diligently working towards addressing problems in special education.

Finally, the candidates were asked to identify two items that they would fight for in the current budget and two items for reduction.  Most of the candidates said they would want to "protect the classroom" by not eliminating any services that affect children in the classroom  Ms. Jimenez said that she would look for more public-private partnerships, using the Norwalk High pool as an example.   Ms. Haynie said that Special Education makes up 20 percent of the budget and she would look for savings there.

Several of the candidates talked about the need for more consolidation between city and school services in places like the mailroom and the potential of recycling.  Mr. Kassimis said the district needs to use technology to improve efficiency and save money.

Were you there?  Did this event help you to make up your mind about whom to vote for?