By Tere Dunlap
tdunlap@themonroetimes.com
MONTICELLO - Candidates for Tuesday's Monticello School Board race shared their thoughts this week on the most critical issues facing the district.
Five candidates will be vying for three seats on the board; Ronald Blumer, Robert Goehring and Julia Havens, will be attempting to unseat Larry McGowan and Stephen Scanlan.
Blumer believes the district's budget is the greatest concern, he said.
"With the new referendum, all that money is earmarked, (but) we want to spend it responsibly. We need to find the best ways to save money, especially in this economy, and look at alternatives to get the job done," Blumer said.
Two other candidates expressed budget matters as the key to managing the district as the board moves in to it's new term.
"I think (it is) to continue to supply a great education within the budget constraints, especially with this economy. By listening to what the public seems to want and what the administration recommends, I think we can find a happy medium that works for all," Havens said.
Now that the district has additional money from a successful referendum vote it must manage it correctly, McGowan said.
"The main focus is to make sure we spend the money in the referendum wisely and efficiently, and to promote the school district as a whole to bring in more students," he said.
Goehring shared his concerns over the possibility of combining Monticello's district with another.
"One issue that has been in the paper is the potential of combining school districts; I know that's a controversial issue. I think consolidation is a positive for taxpayers, teachers and the kids. It's a big issue, not one that can be resolved immediately, but one the school district needs to look at," he said.
Scanlan put an emphasis on presenting precise information to the public regarding all issues, not just consolidation and referendum concerns, he said.
"Hearing everything across the board (on consolidation), I want to be honest with those people and see that everybody gets the accurate information. I make my first consideration the curriculum, to evaluate it fairly and honestly (for) now and if we consolidate. Second is the financial impact on all districts; and third, logistics," Scanlan said.
tdunlap@themonroetimes.com
MONTICELLO - Candidates for Tuesday's Monticello School Board race shared their thoughts this week on the most critical issues facing the district.
Five candidates will be vying for three seats on the board; Ronald Blumer, Robert Goehring and Julia Havens, will be attempting to unseat Larry McGowan and Stephen Scanlan.
Blumer believes the district's budget is the greatest concern, he said.
"With the new referendum, all that money is earmarked, (but) we want to spend it responsibly. We need to find the best ways to save money, especially in this economy, and look at alternatives to get the job done," Blumer said.
Two other candidates expressed budget matters as the key to managing the district as the board moves in to it's new term.
"I think (it is) to continue to supply a great education within the budget constraints, especially with this economy. By listening to what the public seems to want and what the administration recommends, I think we can find a happy medium that works for all," Havens said.
Now that the district has additional money from a successful referendum vote it must manage it correctly, McGowan said.
"The main focus is to make sure we spend the money in the referendum wisely and efficiently, and to promote the school district as a whole to bring in more students," he said.
Goehring shared his concerns over the possibility of combining Monticello's district with another.
"One issue that has been in the paper is the potential of combining school districts; I know that's a controversial issue. I think consolidation is a positive for taxpayers, teachers and the kids. It's a big issue, not one that can be resolved immediately, but one the school district needs to look at," he said.
Scanlan put an emphasis on presenting precise information to the public regarding all issues, not just consolidation and referendum concerns, he said.
"Hearing everything across the board (on consolidation), I want to be honest with those people and see that everybody gets the accurate information. I make my first consideration the curriculum, to evaluate it fairly and honestly (for) now and if we consolidate. Second is the financial impact on all districts; and third, logistics," Scanlan said.