The New Britain Herald has asked the candidates in the municipal elections questions on the issues facing our communities. We will be publishing their responses to those questions.

The Berlin Board of Education candidates do not run on party platforms. Terms are staggered with those held by Gary Brochu, Christopher Puzio and Richard Price expiring this year. Of those listed here, the three candidates with the most votes will be awarded a position on the board.

Gary Brochu

98 Thompson Road, Berlin

Employer: Shipman & Goodwin, LLC

Education: BA, MBA, JD — University of Connecticut

Civic and professional associations: Board of Education, Board of Directors, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education

What is the most important challenge facing Berlin?

The primary challenge for every Board of Education is to ensure that every child is provided a quality education; that each child is appropriately challenged and given a real opportunity for success — without exception.

However, our school district is faced with another, more immediate challenge. Our school facilities, especially our high school, are dated and, in many cases, educationally inadequate. Portable classrooms are being installed at Griswold School, McGee has air quality issues, and the high school has been placed on warning for its accreditation. The Board of Education has been leading on these issues for over four years — action by the Council and community is now necessary.

Why are you running for the BOE? What are your qualifications?

I am a 12-year Board of Education member and am one of the few board members across the state that has been qualified as a “Certified” board member by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. I have also been a member of the CABE Board of Directors for a decade.

I am an attorney who specializes in education law.

While I am proud of the accomplishments of the Board of Education over the past four years, the primary reason for my candidacy is to work with the community to finally, and intelligently, address and resolve the inadequacies with our school facilities.

The Board of Education began this work four years ago and I am committed to seeing it through to completion.

What needs to be done to raise test scores and achieve accreditation?

This question is based on a false premise. I assume that the accreditation question refers to the high school, but the high school does not need to “achieve” accreditation; the 2007 NESAC visit resulted in the continued accreditation of the school. However, primarily due to issues with the facilities, this accreditation is on “warning” status. Immediate action to address identified shortcomings is necessary.

As for student achievement (which is broader than standardized test scores), we need to continue our focus on professional development, quality instruction, teacher collaboration and meaningful assessments. We have seen consistent and significant improvement in student achievement over the past few years, and the primary work of the Board of Education is to continue this progress.

Do you believe No Child Left Behind has been effective?

Not in Berlin. NCLB has not resulted in an increased focus on student achievement nor in a meaningful reallocation of resources. For example, McGee’s AYP designation — for special education students — has actually served to obscure the progress that has been made. Specifically, that McGee’s special education students meet NCLB standards in two of three categories and their performance results have doubled in two years. But because of NCLB, student performance which should be celebrated as a success is misinterpreted by some as a cause for alarm. The Berlin Board of Education is committed to the success of each student. The inflexible, and often misguided, standards of NCLB has not added anything to this commitment.

Kristin Campanelli

56 Hummingbird Drive, Berlin

Employer: New Britain Superior Court as a Temporary Assistant Clerk

Education: BA. Magna Cum Laude, Syracuse University in political science and English Textual Studies; Syracuse University College of Law

What is the most important challenge facing Berlin?

The most important challenge currently facing Berlin is the lack of space in the current facilities for all of the students, as well as the accreditation issue at Berlin High School and the ventilation system at McGee Middle School. Considering our current economic environment, I will tirelessly to make these changes and maximize each dollar for the taxpayers of Berlin.

Why are you running for BOE? What are your qualifications?

I am running for BOE because I love the town of Berlin and want to make sure that the schools here continue in their tradition of excellence. I graduated from Hubbard Elementary School in 1995, McGee Middle School in 1998, and Berlin High School in 2002. I went on to achieve my Bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate degrees from Syracuse University. The Berlin public school system gave me the ability and confidence, and taught me the work ethic I needed to succeed in achieving my dreams. I want to make sure every current and future student of Berlin schools have that as well.

What needs to be done to raise test scores and achieve accreditation?

In light of the No Child Left Behind act standards, raising test scores is important town-wide. In order to raise test scores and meet these standards, instruction needs to be data-driven. The assessment instruments used to determine student achievement should be research-based. This will allow our skilled teachers to continually determine students’ strengths and areas of opportunity throughout the school year. This provides a more focused and effective learning environment. Schools should continue to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based goals for the students at several junctures throughout the year.

As for achieving accreditation, the issue needs to be addressed and quickly. The students at the high school cannot continue to learn in a sub-par environment. In order to achieve accreditation, the special education program needs adequate space for classrooms. There also needs to be adequate space to provide confidentiality for students where necessary. New science labs, as well as an air conditioning system at the high school are immediate needs. But, these remedies are short sighted. Also, a longer term plan to replace the current high school should also be explored further in the months immediately after the election.

Do you believe No Child Left Behind has been effective?

I believe that it is important to assess children at different times during the school year and use that data to drive instruction. No Child Left Behind gave us some ground rules under which to do that. The standards set forth in No Child Left Behind are good starting places for teachers to begin their data-driven instruction.

Christopher Puzio

112 Ledge Drive,  Berlin

Occupation: Teacher

Education: MS in education leadership, Central Connecticut State University, 6th Year in educational leadership-pursuing at Quinnipiac University.

Civic and professional associations: Board of Education, National Education Association, Wallingford Education Association, Connecticut Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance, Berlin Educational Council, Parent-Teacher Advisory Council (chairperson).

What is the most important challenge facing Berlin?

Inadequate facilities for our schools are the biggest challenges the Berlin Board of Education faces. My main goal in running for a third term, aside from continuing to improve student learning and student success, is to work in partnership with other government officials to better bridge the gap of communication between the Board of Education and the Berlin community.

My efforts will include advocating for the televising of board of education meetings, and promoting the use of tax dollars in the most cost-effective way to alleviate the enormous test, the “inadequate facilities” that threaten the continued accreditation of Berlin High School through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Also, Berlin Public Schools are on “warning” status by the Office of Civil Rights for specific code violations in our facilities that need immediate attention.

Why are you running for BOE? What are your qualifications?

I had a very positive experience over the last four years on the Berlin Board of Education and am proud of what I helped to accomplish. I value education as Berlin’s number one asset and realize that well-educated students will most likely become well-educated adults that will make positive contributions in Berlin and elsewhere. Nevertheless, I am also aware that there is more to be done to improve the school system, and I am committed to that goal and to following the Board of Education’s CIP (Continuous Improvement Plan) that revolves around Rigor, Relevance and Respect.

With four years of experience, I have strengthened my ability to face educational issues head-on. I have the confidence necessary to continue being an effective board member and liaison between the Board of Education and the community. I believe my understanding of, and investment in, the school system (I am a 2000 graduate of Berlin High School and father of two sons in Berlin) and career as an educator (I am a sixth-year teacher in Wallingford) allow me to lend a fresh, unique, and informed perspective to the board.

 What needs to be done to raise test scores and achieve accreditation?

Staying focused on Berlin’s CIP that emphasizes rigor, relevance and respect will continue to increase student achievement and result in an increase in test scores. Also, low-cost programs such as SPRINT (Students Practicing and Receiving Instruction Now and for Tomorrow) and Summer Sun Days (fun ways students can expand their language skills) should continue to be funded, as they center on improving on students’ deficiencies in specific subject areas. This is not only critical for student success with government mandated tests but also in the real world. Adequate facilities will enhance the learning experience and ultimately increase student achievement, as well as help Berlin meet accreditation standards and get us off warning from the Office of Civil Rights.

 Do you believe No Child Left Behind has been effective?

In theory, the law sounds wonderful: to ensure a basic level of education for every single child. I agree with many of the goals: to establish high principles and standards for all students and accountability and transparency measures for all teachers. However, the reality is that this piece of legislation is not working in most places due to a lack of funding and resources from the government. Being a teacher, I see first-hand that trying to teach every student and bring them to the government’s idea of acceptable standards is an overwhelming task, given the inadequate amount of resources to work with, the lack of funding, and the limited amount of time in which to accomplish the task. While NCLB was likely drafted with the best of intentions, the government was not practical in all of its expectations, given our resources. Because of this misjudgment, I do not think this piece of legislation has been as effective as expected.

Richard Price

Address: 11 Briar Lane, Berlin

Employer: Broadcast Journalist with Metro Networks, Division of Westwood One

Education: Tunxis Community College, AA; Central Connecticut State University, BA, Political Science, BA, History (w/honors)

Professional Association: AFTRA, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

What is the most important challenge facing Berlin?

The Berlin school district is faced with two key issues: First, to maintain student achievement while retaining highly motivated teachers and qualified staff and administrators during this recession. We cannot lose ground in the short-term at the risk of having to catch up in the long run. Second, there are facilities issues facing several of our schools. Because these issues have not been addressed in recent years we are now in a position where they are becoming critical. Most notably, space restrictions at Griswold Elementary, indoor air quality at McGee Middle School and inadequate facilities at Berlin High School.

 Why are you running for BOE? What are your qualifications?

I have been serving on the Berlin BOE since February, completing a term that expires in November. I have made contributions to the district and want to continue working toward improved student achievement and motivation. With regard to qualifications, I believe being a concerned parent is foremost. I have also made a commitment to serve the Berlin community with all my energy.

What needs to be done to raise test scores and achieve accreditation?

Achieving higher test scores requires a team effort comprised of school officials, teachers and parents. It is the Board of Education’s responsibility to ensure that the district is given the tools necessary for student achievement along with the resources to assist students who require extra help and motivation.

 Do you believe No Child Left Behind has been effective?

The outcome of No Child Left Behind is both positive and negative. At the least, NCLB has helped schools and districts to gauge student achievement. Unfortunately, any inadequacies uncovered through NCLB are left to the state and local districts to rectify. NCLB does not provide the funds to address deficiencies.

Timothy J. Oakes

Address: www.timoakesforboe.com

Employer: Reynolds Plantation — Network solutions architect

What is the most important challenge facing Berlin?

We are at a critical point regarding Berlin’s education system — any decisions need to be thoughtful, well planned and appropriate for the immediate resolution of current issues and to properly position our schools for the future.

Why are you running for the BOE; what are your qualifications?

I grew up in Berlin and attended it schools and graduated from Berlin High School. I strongly believe the quality of my education opened doors to many opportunities. Now raising a family with two children in Willard (Schoo) I want to preserve this quality and further enrich the experience for all children in our community.

What needs to be done to raise test scores and achieve accreditation?

Addressing issues in the NEASC/NESDEC/OC reports will be my first focus. As the current Board of Education Position Paper warns, we could lose accreditation at the high school. This would mean fewer state and federal dollars awarded to our district (which would be absorbed by taxpayers to maintain existing educational services.), fewer opportunities for scholarships for college-bound students and a disincentive for top quality teachers to teach in Berlin. I will bring decisive decision-making and a devil’s advocate mentality to the Board of Education, making certain that decisions made by the Board of Education have been fully evaluated and are the best possible choices.

Technology touches almost every part of the world today; without it many people cannot operate. Our reliance on technology will continue to grow, and students going to college without a solid foundation will be disadvantaged. With more than 15 years experience exploring technology, I can help guide the Board of Education and the Berlin School System toward a sound future.

Due to his delayed response, the Herald was unable to get Oakes’ response to all the questions.