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RFH 2010, HCS News

Residents Meet School Board Candidates

Thu, May 13, 2010

Residents Meet School Board Candidates

About two dozen people - including several teachers, administrators and school board members - heard the three candidates seeking election to the HCS Board of Education discuss their views Wednesday night.

In a meeting held in the HCS cafeteria, candidates Bob Pils (left in photo), Molly Johnson (middle) and Antonio Barrera (right) made statements on why they are seeking election and answered questions submitted by members of the audience.

Pils is the lone incumbent. Johnson and Barrera are both running for the first time. Pils' seat and that of Sandra Carter, who chose not to run again, will be voted on come Tuesday.

All three were asked why they were running. Pils said he could think of no better way to invest his time than on behalf of the children in the community. Johnson said she has "no particular agenda and don't have all the answers" but believes her background and her years as a volunteer in the classroom can bring a valuable perspective to the board. Barrera said he wants to have a say in what kind of school HCS is in the future.

The candidates were asked about improving communications with the public, who they feel they would be accountable to if elected and what special skills they would bring to the board.

One of the questions the three were asked was if they favored consolidation with Madison Central Schools. None favored such a consolidation.

Not surprisingly, the candidates were asked about what areas of the district budget they would cut if called on to do so.

Johnson said she would "not unilaterally cut anything" but would rather seek creative solutions -- including other sources of funding -- to keep programs intact.

Barrera said he would not make budget cuts that would effect what he called "classroom teaching activity." He said sports and other extracurricular activities should be trimmed first.

Pils said he advocates "fair and across the board cuts" reducing rather than eliminating things.

District voters go to the polls Tuesday to elect two school board members and to vote on the 2010-2011 school budget.

 

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