The Valley Indy sent a questionnaire to the candidates for Shelton Board of Education last month.
We distributed the questions on Oct. 14 with an Oct. 31 deadline.
In Shelton, many parents feel the city’s schools should institute full-day kindergarten, and the school board has formed an ad hoc committee to research the issue, so we asked the candidates, among other questions, whether they would support full-day kindergarten, and why.
There are 10 candidates vying for nine seats on the Shelton school board.
The Valley Indy did not receive responses to any of our questions from Democratic candidate Elaine Matto and Republican candidates John Francino-Quinn (incumbent) and Thomas Minotti (incumbent).
Candidate name: Faith Hack
Occupation: Retired from the Shelton Board of Education. Prior to that I was a Research and Development Chemist with the Burndy Corp.
Number of children: One son, Jonathan, who went through the Shelton Public School system.
Community activity: Recording secretary for the Board of Education Finance Committee, Justice of the Peace, Board of Apportionment and Taxation 2 years, Board of A & T Finance Committee, Adult Literacy Tutor with the Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven in Shelton, Elizabeth Shelton School former PTA vice-president and treasurer, SIS PTA former treasurer, and Shelton Junior Women’s Club past treasurer and chair person of several community focused committees.
Why are you running for the Shelton Board of Education?
“I am running for the Shelton Board of Education because I want to be a more active advocate for teaching and learning. I support high quality teachers, curriculum and resources that will prepare all students for successful futures. I support a safe environment in which our teachers, staff and students may work and learn.”
What’s the single greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools?
“I think the greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools is successfully preparing Shelton’s students for their futures. Teachers and students and parents face constant challenge meeting the demands of the time in which we live. They are faced with budget constraints in a difficult economic climate. They are faced with having to meet the rigorous demands of world competition. They deal with a myriad of social problems.”
Do you have school-aged children and do they attend Shelton Public Schools? If your kids are older, did they attend Shelton schools when they were younger?
“My son attended grades K‑12 here in Shelton.”
Would you support an all-day kindergarten program in Shelton Public Schools? Why or why not?
“I am definitely in favor of all day kindergarten. Research gives us evidence that kindergarten is becoming the new first grade, There are more and more demands on our teachers and students. I feel it is essential to revamp the present kindergarten curriculum, to extend learning time and allow our teachers to better prepare our children for future learning.”
Candidate name: Mark Holden (incumbent)
Running on the Republican line
Age: 54
Occupation: Insurance Agent
Number of children: None
Community activity: City of Shelton Board of Education, Member 2011-present, Chairman 2012-present; City of Shelton Board of Apportionment and Taxation, Vice Chairman 2005 – 2007, Chairman 2007 – 2011; Birmingham Group Health Services / Valley Mental Health Center / BHCare, Board member 1987 – 2012 (I left when I became Chairman of the BOE because of time commitments), Member of Marketing and Nominating Committees, Healthways Chairman of the Board 1991 – 1993 (Subsidiary that ran the Umbrella Domestic Violence program); Birmingham Foundation, Board member 1992-present, Co-Chair Committee to Develop Annual Appeal; Shelton Jaycees and CT Jaycees (I held many positions and was recognized with numerous Local, State and National awards for my efforts with Leadership, Management and Training. I continue to help these organizations when asked; Project Astro Astronomer/Educator (Project Astro is a program where amateur astronomers volunteer to work with teachers to help them make science more fun for students. I’ve worked with teachers and led classes in Trumbull and Ansonia. I’ve hosted observing sessions for Schools in Shelton, Trumbull, Ansonia, Stratford, and Milford. I’ve also hosted observing sessions for many youth organizations.)
Why are you running for the Shelton Board of Education?
“I enjoy being able to make a difference. Shelton is a wonderful community, and the Board of Education is the largest department in our government. I enjoy the challenge of developing and supporting policies and practices designed to deliver the best education possible while keeping costs affordable.”
What’s the single greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools?
“Unfunded state and federal mandates make it harder for us to allocate resources in the most productive way possible.”
Do you have school-aged children and do they attend Shelton Public Schools? If your kids are older, did they attend Shelton schools when they were younger?
“I have no kids, just cats. If I had kids, I’d be proud to send them to Shelton Public Schools.”
Would you support an all-day kindergarten program in Shelton Public Schools? Why or why not?
“When I appointed the committee to look into Full Day Kindergarten, I wasn’t sure if it would be educationally sound or cost effective. Our site visits to other Full Day Kindergarten programs showed Full Day Kindergarten with a rigorous curriculum benefits everyone. Most children end the year reading a full year above grade level. In later years, they need less remedial help because they have a stronger foundation for learning. Taxpayers benefit because less money needs to be spent getting kids up to standards.
In many respects it’s not unlike the Mayor’s decision to buy Propane powered School buses instead of renting them as part of our contract with the bus company. The up front cost will be higher, but over the long haul we end up with better education for our students at a lower total cost to taxpayers.”
Candidate name: Kate Kutash
Running on the Democratic line
Age: 58
Occupation: Teacher of fourth grade in Stratford
Number of children: Two adult children:
Kelly (25) is married and living in California with her husband, Air Force First Lieutenant Adam Rich (also a Shelton native), an astronautical engineer — chief launch vehicle engineer for the the Atlas V rocket. Kelly is in managment with Enterprise Rent-a-car, a Fortune 500 company.
Sarah (21) is a senior at the University of Delaware majoring in instrumental music education.
Community activity: Sterling House Community Center (Stratford) Advisory Council, member since 1986 (President 1987 – 1990); Resident of Shelton since 1996; Elizabeth Shelton PTA Executive Board 1997 – 2004; Girl Scout “Cookie Mom” multiple times between 1999 – 2010 (at least twice for two troops simultaneously!); Member of YES (Yes for Education in Shelton) Committees that worked to pass the referendums for the new Shelton Intermediate School, High School Renovations and Technology Enhancement; Board of Education Representative from ESS 1998 – 2001, from SIS PTA 2004 – 2006, from SHS PTSO 2002 – 2006; Elizabeth Shelton School PTA President 2001 – 2003; Shelton Intermediate School PTA Secretary 2001 – 2002; Shelton High School PTSO Executive Board 2002 – 2008; Shelton PTA Council Corresponding Secretary 2003 – 2005; Shelton PTA Council PTA President 2005 – 2008; Shelton High Band Parents Secretary 2007 – 2010; Chairperson of Marching Gaels Home Show Band Competition: 2007 – 2009; Chairperson of Marching Gaels Winter Percussion Home Shows in 2008 – 2010; Member of the Shelton Board of Education AD Hoc committees for Security (2006), Technology Long Range Plan (2005), Long Range Plan (2005 – 2007) and Fundraising (2007); Member of the Superintendent’s Task Force to set goals for Shelton Public Schools: November-December 2008; Eucharistic Minister, Assumption Parish, Ansonia (2000-present); Church Decorating Committee, Assumption, Ansonia (2007-present); Assumption Church, Ansonia- Building Committee- 2013; Elected member of the Shelton Board of Education 2009 – 2011; Chair of Board of Ed subcommittee on Cafeteria & Transportation, co-chair of Policy, Curriculum and Technology, member of Building and Grounds Committee 2009 – 2011; Served on two Board of Ed. negotiation teams 2010 – 2011
Why are you running for the Shelton Board of Education?
“As an educator I value education and as a Shelton resident the quality of education being offered to the next generation is of great importance to me. I served on the Shelton BOE from 2009 to 2011, losing reelection in 2011 by a mere 47 votes. I found my involvement with the BOE to be not only interesting but educational and rewarding. In the intervening two years, I have continued to attend committe and monthly general meetings to stay informed on issues about education in the City of Shelton.”
What’s the single greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools?
“For more than 10 years the greatest challenge of Shelton Public Schools is to do more with less. We are constantly denied the funding needed to maintain the programs and services currently being offered. We need the support of City Hall to move our school system into the next century and keep our children up to pace with the expectations of our society. Both of my children found themselves at a deficit upon entering college. In 2006, my elder daughter was lacking in computer/technology skills found in her peers. In 2010, my younger daughter entered a music education program, finding herself significantly underprepared in the music field as compared to her peers.”
Do you have school-aged children and do they attend Shelton Public Schools? If your kids are older, did they attend Shelton schools when they were younger?
“As stated above, both children are adults. They attended Elizabeth Shelton School, Shelton Intermediate (Kelly was in the first 8th grade to graduate the new SIS) and Shelton High School.”
Would you support an all-day kindergarten program in Shelton Public Schools? Why or why not?
“I have advocated for an all day kindergarten in Shelton since 1997 when my daughter Sarah entered Shelton’s half day kindergarten program and said ‘Is that all?’ at the conclusion of her long awaited ‘first day of school.’ Stratford, where I teach, has had all day kindergarten for over 20 years. It is impossible for today’s kindergarten teachers to meet the demands of the Common Core Curriculum in less than four hours. I have attended and been an active participant in the Full Day Kindergarten AD Hoc committee meetings in recent months.”
Candidate name: Arlene Liscinsky (incumbent)
Running on the Democratic line
Age: 63
Occupation: Recently Retired. Previously, a local business owner.
Number of children: Two daughters: Kate and Erin
Community activity Arlene Liscinsky has served on the Shelton Board of Education (BOE) for a total of 12 years. In her present term, Arlene is the Secretary for the BOE and Chairman of the Finance Committee. She also sits on the Teaching, Learning, and ad-hoc Kindergarten committees and is part of the Lighthouse Project. Additionally, Arlene is the President of, and Shelton BOE representative for, the Cooperative Education Services (CES). She also represented the BOE on the Citywide Technology Committee.
During her tenure with the BOE she has also served as the Acting Chair and Vice Chairman. She was first elected to the Board in 1999 and since then has also sat on the High School Accreditation, Long Range Planning, Strategic Planning, Teacher Evaluation, Curriculum, Negotiations, and Building & Grounds committees.
Since moving to Shelton in 1990, Arlene has been recognized as an advocate for children. She has held many local and statewide PTA (Parent Teacher Association) leadership positions such as Booth Hill PTA and Citywide Council President, and has served statewide as Vice President and Treasurer of Connecticut State PTA. In addition to serving on the Shelton BOE she also served as a Board member and Shelton representative to Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES).
Arlene has been active and a supporter in the Shelton community as a member of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, Valley School Readiness Council, Youth Service Bureau to Stop Underage Drinking, Parent Child Resource Center (PCRC), Yes for Education in Shelton (YES), Nutmeg State PTA, and the Shelton Historical Society. Arlene and her husband Joe are former business owners who have resided in Shelton since 1990. They are parents of two daughters who both completed their K‑12 education within the Shelton School System.
Questions:
Why are you running for the Shelton Board of Education?
“I have always been passionate about public education and advocating for children. While I have spent time supporting major referendums to build and renovate our infrastructures and technology, I believe that every child needs an advocate to provide educational opportunities that will lead to success later in life.”
What’s the single greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools?
“Funding. It has always been a challenge. However, our system has done exceptionally well in spite of it. Over the years, we have done everything in our power as a Board to place a focus on money spent in the classroom and the excellent teachers and administrative staff we have in town. Public education has many challenges on both the local and national level: unfunded mandates, increasing costs associated with special education costs, changing curriculum, new teacher evaluation programs, meeting the individual needs of each student, and the ability to maintain a technological edge in the classroom.”
Do you have school-aged children and do they attend Shelton Public Schools? If your kids are older, did they attend Shelton schools when they were younger?
“I no longer have children in the system but both of my daughters attended and graduated from the public school system in Shelton. Our oldest daughter, Kate, went on to graduate from Boston University with a Major in Journalism and Minor in Political Science, and currently works in Cambridge, Ma., as a Senior Communications Specialist for Genzyme. Our youngest graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Degree in Math and a Masters in Elementary Education. She is now a 4th grade teacher in Hopkinton Ma.”
Would you support an all-day kindergarten program in Shelton Public Schools? Why or why not?
“Yes, I have supported full day kindergarten since participating in the long range planning for the community in 1999 and 1994 when it was first recommended. I continue to see the value in the program.I presently am a member of the ad-hoc committee.”
Candidate name: Win Oppel (incumbent)
Running on the Republican line
Age: 57
Occupation: President, AD-MERICA Corporation
Number of children: My wife Patty and I have 6 children and 6 grandchildren
Community activity: Board Member Valley Chamber, Board Member The WorkPlace, Board Member ACT/Spooner House
Why are you running for the Shelton Board of Education?
“There is much still to do to improve the delivery of a quality education to our children. With technology changes we are looking at the implementation of “Bring Your Own Device.” The new standards regarding teacher evaluations could have direct impact on classroom. The changes in the standardized testing and the implementation will require adjustments. The maintenance and upgrading of our facilities, particularly in the technology area requires ongoing attention.”
What’s the single greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools?
“The economic realities of the past several years have impacted the delivery of the best educational opportunities and these challenges must continually be dealt with by the Board.”
Do you have school-aged children and do they attend Shelton Public Schools? If your kids are older, did they attend Shelton schools when they were younger?
“All our children attended Shelton Public Schools and several of our grandchild will be starting shortly.”
Would you support an all-day kindergarten program in Shelton Public Schools? Why or why not?
“Yes, the documentation presented clearly indicates the investment in All Day K is reaped in the future years, both economically (less remedial actions required) and educationally (more on grade/above grade successes by the students).”
Candidate name: Timothy J. Walsh (incumbent)
Running on the Democratic line
Age: 74
Occupation: Retired educator
Number of children: 3
Community activity: Corporator of Naugatuck Valley Boys and Girls club, Corpora tor of Griffin Hospital, Past VP Junior Chamber of Commerce, Past Chair Shelton Youth Council, Past President Shelton Administrators Council. I have served 2 terms as Chairman of the Shelton Board of Education and a member of the Shelton Schools Technology Committee and on most of the Boards sub-committees.
Why are you running for the Shelton Board of Education?
“I continue to run for the Shelton Board of Education because I think that my 35+ years in education have prepared me to deal with the academic issues of education better than most others. I have worked all of my adult life in education and feel have much to offer or to give back.”
What’s the single greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools?
“The single greatest challenge facing the Shelton public school is inadequate funding. We are one of the wealthiest communities in the State but our effort to pay is very low.”
Do you have school-aged children and do they attend Shelton Public Schools? If your kids are older, did they attend Shelton schools when they were younger?
“My children and 2 of my grand children did attend Shelton High. I’m proud to say that one of my children is an attorney, one a Physical Therapist. I have two grandsons presently in College., one at the University of Chicago and one at The University of Richmond.”
Would you support an all-day kindergarten program in Shelton Public Schools? Why or why not?
“I am very much a supporter of an all-day kindergarten program. All the evidence support increased academic skills at the early ages but a definite carryover to later years as well. The start of an early education also pays dividends financially in the future.”
Candidate name: Kathleen Yolish (incumbent)
Age: 64
Occupation: Retired teacher
Community activity: Prior to retiring I had a successful teaching career in the Shelton Public School System for a total of 35 years. I began my career at Ferry School in 1971 in a third grade classroom. I have also taught at Sunnyside School, Lafayette School and Elizabeth Shelton School, teaching in grades 2,3, 4 and 5. As a teacher in the SPS system, I mentored many teachers and served as a cooperating teacher (now called TEAM) for more than 15 teachers, many who obtained positions within Shelton. Additionally, I have been the recipient of more than a dozen educational grants and IDEA funding, have been a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, Shelton Teacher of the Year finalist (6 times) and a Weller Award recipient as well. I have served on the SBOE for 4 years and put in much time and energy in this volunteer capacity.
I am Chairman of the Policy Committee, Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Full Day Kindergarten Committee, member of the Teaching & Learning Committee and Board liaison representative with the Shelton Education Association. Additionally, I volunteer 2 days per week at Long Hill School in a third and fourth grade classroom. I also plan and write all of the educational articles for “Shelton Life”- a quarterly publication published by the Shelton Economic Development Commission. In this publication, my responsibility is to showcase all of the good things that are happening in the Shelton Public Schools.
Why are you running for the Shelton Board of Education?
“I am running for the BOE because I strongly feel that in my prior job as a teacher in Shelton, I have an opportunity and unique perspective with regard to educational concerns of the teachers as well as the parents, students and taxpayers. I feel I have much to offer because I’ve lived (more than 50 years) and worked in this city (45 years) and had many family members who have operated successful businesses in the city. I know and understand the culture and am proud of all that our city offers to its residents. I continue to learn what is going on in the educational process by attending and participating in Professional Learning workshops offered to teachers and staff by the school system. It is important for me to keep current with the most updated instructional opportunities and curricula as well as to identify and understand the focus areas that our system is targeting.
By volunteering in the classrooms and writing articles, I learn why and how instruction is changing and what we are doing to make that change work. I talk with the employees of SBOE, I listen to suggestions, thoughts, needs and wants. I feel all of this is important to recognize and implement what will be best for the future of our children and fight for the right to have the best educational opportunities that can be attained for the tax dollars provided. My endeavor is to ensure that the children who attend Shelton Public Schools will have a challenging and supportive, safe learning environment in which they will be able to live, work and participate in a globally diverse society.”
What’s the single greatest challenge facing Shelton Public Schools?
“Greatest challenges include funding state mandates, funding an all day kindergarten program, safe schools, bullying and newly implemented teacher/administrator evaluations.”
Do you have school-aged children and do they attend Shelton Public Schools? If your kids are older, did they attend Shelton schools when they were younger?
“Although I unfortunately have no biological children, I have had the joy of teaching more than 800 children in my 35 year career.In essence, they were all my kids during the school day!”
Would you support an all-day kindergarten program in Shelton Public Schools? Why or why not?
“As the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc full day kindergarten committee and as an elementary school teacher for many years, I feel that education has embraced a more advanced level of performance and knowledge to be taught in kindergarten. The skills include further development of speaking, listening, writing and reading skills. Problem solving skills and mathematical skills are now more complex. Kindergarten is now comprised of standards aligned to The Common Core State Standards that were adopted by the state in 2010.
With a full day Kindergarten program, children will receive 633 more instructional hours per academic year. Presently in Shelton students receive 530 hours per year. I feel that if we can secure the funding for a full day program, it would be a wonderful learning/growing opportunity for the children and that is what I want for children-the best learning/growing opportunities that we can provide for them.”
