Schools

At Forum, School Board Candidates Talk District Challenges

Issues discussed ranged from mandates to Chappaqua Crossing.

The three candidates who are running for two Chappaqua school board seats weighed in on a myriad of district issues at a League of Women Voters forum held Thursday evening.

Incumbent Jeffrey Mester, along with challengers Warren Messner and Frederick Stein, each touted their backgrounds and tried to make the case for why they should be elected.

Mester, who is running for a third, 3-year term, ran on his record and highlighted the district's fiscal status.

“It's easy to identify problems. It's much harder to offer solutions and make decisions,” he said.

Mester also argued that there is more to doing the job.

“It is not simply about being smart and having the time,” he said, bringing up attributes such as understanding education law and regulations, understanding the budget and listening to the community. He also said he will seek to further reduce the burden on taxpayers and supports openness, transparency and community involvement.

Stein is running for both school board and library. The candidate, who is retired, was once a publisher and has volunteered at organizations ranging from the Red Cross for about 15 years to New Castle's CERT, argued that both his volunteer and previous professional backgrounds will help.

“I'm running to support my community,” said Stein, adding that he brings a “unique view” because he does not have children in the school system. Stein, who would be the only non-parent on the board if election, argued that the board has not reached out to taxpayers without children in the system.

The candidates took questions from the moderator and from the audience, addressing a range of topics.

When asked about addressing budget issues, all three acknowledged the large role of employee compensation costs in the process. Messner argued that there has to be work with legislators to help and better manage state mandates that the district has so “we can be more autonomous in our own decision making.” Mester noted the school board's recent achievement in getting new contracts with three out of the district's four unions and how the deals represented savings versus what the unions could have gotten under the Triborough Amendment, a state law that requires using terms of expired contracts until new ones replace them. Stein noted that with compensation costs, it's “basically the teachers.” He said that questions have to be asked, such as how many teachers are needed and what class sizes are best to maintain an excellent school system.

The issue of the district charging the Town of New Castle for the use of its athletic fields came up, with candidates varying in answers. Mester, who is on the board's facilities committee, said a new contract with the town will be signed to increase the annual payment, which goes to support maintenance. He also said that the fields are over used, which make maintaining them hard, and that the district's first priority is for the school teams to use the fields, followed by local sports groups. Stein took a narrower view of when charges should be applied, arguing it should only be when there's wear and tear. Messner did not have an answer for fees but noted, anecdotally, there are people form other school districts would “marvel” at the shape fields in the community are in.

Resident Will Wedge asked “third rail question that's going on in town right now,” which is for the 120,000-square-foot retail proposal at Chappaqua Crossing that would be across the street from Horace Greeley High School.

Stein replied that with retail there would be more traffic, with concerns about it and student safety.

“I'm not sure that's the right place to have a retail establishment versus downtown,” he said, but added that it will be the town board that decides what happens. Stein also felt that, in general, there should be a larger commercial tax base to relieve residents.

Messner expressed concern about student safety and said that retail space could be a “draw.” Mester said that as a board member he does not support or oppose the plan, giving deference to the town board for its roll in the review. However, he noted that the board was sending a list of concerns for the review, with students crossing the street among them.

Resident John Harrison asked the candidates how often they attended school board meetings in the past five years. Mester, the incumbent, noted his frequency, Messner said it was around 20 plus, while Stein said it was 2-3.

The candidates were also asked what experiences they have with Chappaqua schools that could help understand their nature. Messner, who is a retired IBM employee and father of triplet daughters who now attend Greeley, said he has gotten to see the dedication that the “faculty has to the learning and education of our children.” He also felt that teachers can give skills and a love of learning.

Mester, the father of two Greeley students and one graduate, noted how they went through every school level and how a person can see “the guts of the operation.” This included interaction with teachers and seeing what programs there.
Stein said that the “strength is easily shown,” and noted Greeley's graduation grade.

Sandra Flank asked about technology and what changes do the candidates see for it in schools for saving money and student learning. Messner gave examples such as a Chappaqua School Foundation grant for Kindles and iPads, to Kindles allowing for savings in book costs. Stein felt that students who are not keeping up academically should have access to online tutors but did not feel there should be a requirement to buy a machine because some can't afford to do so. Mester acknowledged the importance of technology in school but believed that it should not be a “panacea” for money and education. He also suggested that classes could be recorded and sold to other school districts, which could become a revenue source.

Betty Weitz asked about lobbying against unfunded state mandates. Mester noted that school board president Victoria Tipp is a liaison to a regional boards lobbying group and that the Chappaqua PTA is now working on lobbying. Stein felt that there should be an “organized push” to wake up legislators in Albany. He also felt that there should be emails sent to state officials.

“If they're not going to fund it, then they should stop trying to get votes on the back of the local taxpayers.”

Messner called it a “a very timely question.” He noted that it was announced at a recent school board meeting that the PTA was going to get involved.

Election day is on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The polling place is located at Greeley's gym. The candidates with the two highest vote totals will win.


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