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Photo by Edward Freundl
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Manchester School Board candidates Lyndon Uphaus (left), Christine Fegan, Tara Lamirand and Dara Psarouthakis listen to a question from the audience at a public forum on April 17.
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A public forum with the Manchester School Board candidates last week covered a wide range of issues, some of which are outside the candidates' control.
Topics included the district's financial situation, a perceived breakdown in communication between the board and the public, and the current search for a new superintendent.
The public forum on April 17 was a joint venture between the Klager Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization and the Manchester Middle School Parent-Teacher-Student Association, hosted by Theresa Herron of both parent groups and Erin Collins, president of the Klager PTO.
About two dozen people attended the forum including school board trustees, and school support personnel and faculty. Participation from district residents was minimal.
Four candidates are running for two seats in the May 8 election. They are incumbent board treasurer Lyndon Uphaus, and newcomers Tara Lamirand, Dara Psarouthakis and Christine Fegan.
Before taking audience questions, each candidate introduced themselves, explaining their qualifications, experience and reasons for running.
Although a new superintendent will be selected and in place by the time the candidates take office, the first question of the forum asked not about the candidates' stance on specific issues, but about the new superintendent's priorities.
There was agreement among the candidates that the new school chief should make it a point to get to know the community, the faculty, staff and students and act as a liaison between these groups and the district.
"It's got to be a good match all the way around," Fegan said. "It has got to be the 'right' person, not necessarily the 'best' person."
Added Lamirand: "We need someone who will look one, five, 10 years down the road, and get acclimated to the community before making a lot of changes."
The issue of the superintendent's pay package also came up, with the candidates agreeing on a balanced approach between experience and competitive compensation.
The audience also was interested in the candidates' approach to the district's current financial difficulties.
Years of decreasing state aid and increasing costs have left the Manchester district with a potential budget shortage of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Residents asked the candidates to look at ideas to increase revenue rather than further reductions in expenditures, which have resulted in staff layoffs and cutbacks in services.
Uphaus drew on his seven years of board experience for his reply.
"I know people think things are really bad now, but in 2000 it was worse," he said, recalling the bond issues that paid for improvements to aging buildings and transportation.
"Facility-wise, the school system is in great shape. Our biggest cost is the teachers' retirement fund, and insurance is one of our biggest costs."
He added that about 90 percent of the district's annual budget is wages, salaries and benefits.
Herron expressed her personal frustration with current board members' recent budget decisions.
"You've been looking at nothing but cuts, but when people suggest different ways of raising revenue, like the (leasing of) cell phone towers and advertising on the ball fields, you always say it sounds like a good idea, but then cuts are made," she said. "Has every idea been looked at?"
A question received by e-mail stirred a lively discussion about the amount of cooperation and communication between the school and parents.
"It's important to find out where it's breaking down, then you can look at how to fix it," Psarouthakis said. "Is there a way to cooperate more? If there is an 'us vs. them' mentality we need to find ways to collaborate."
Edward Freundl is a reporter for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at efreundl@heritage.com.
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