Here are some questions I received either via email or during the "Meet and Greet the candidates" coffees:
Q: I was wondering how you feel about the possible changes of reconfiguration, redistricting, etc.?
A: This is a very emotional topic. We were redistricted when my girls where in Elementary School and one feels so lonely and sad and mad all at the same time. The fact is that sometimes, due to the unequal balance of the classes, a redistricting is unavoidable. But this can still be done in a more humane way: by keeping neighborhoods together (unlike what was done with us, where only 2 streets were pulled out and send to another school...).
Q: I would really like to hear people fighting the 1% or 0% increases and trying to convince the community, especially those without school age children, that it is in everyone's best interest to keep this school system at its best, and that takes money. It is very obvious to me that, due to last year's budget, the schools (and therefore my kids) are suffering. The bus situation is insane on so many levels.
A: I was the one who supported getting the budget passed and had created the website for the DTC: www.votethefacts.com. Unfortunately a lot of people in our town do not understand that education, and mostly a good education system in our town will enable our community to blossom and automatically has a positive effect on the economy.
They have to understand that the small increase was barely enough to cover the fixed costs for running the school and eventually will tear our school system down. However, I believe that fiscal management is crucial. Basically saving costs not on the cost of education, but on things such as electricity, oil prices etc.
The bus situation is presently very bad. By pulling 5 buses out and reducing the number to 30 and making bus drivers for 4 shifts, the children do not get the time they should to wind down after school, to sleep enough etc. In my opinion this is something to be worked on.
Please let me know if I have answered all your questions. If you have additional ones, please do not hesitate contacting me, visiting my website, or on the Ridgefield democrats website looking under my name.