Election Day is Nov. 8.
Since the Valley Indy launched in June 2009, the adoption of Derby’s school budget has been the issue over which there has been the sharpest disagreement in the city.
Some in Derby — school board member Kimberly Kreiger, for example — say the city simply does not give enough money to support its schools. As proof they point to per-pupil spending data, which shows Derby lagging behind the rest of Connecticut.
Others — including incumbent Republican Mayor Anthony Staffieri — say Derby gives its fair share and that the school district has to do a better job managing its finances.
Click here to read everything we wrote about the formation and debate over the current budget.
Click here to read everything the Valley Indy has published on the Derby election.
Here is a look at who is running for the school board in Derby. The information is taken from the Staffieri for Mayor and Derby 2011 websites.
DENISE BOTTONE
Party: Republican
Bio:
Mother of three
Works as a sales representative of a liquor distribution company
Experience:
Constant presence at Derby Board of Education meetings
STEPHANIE D’ONOFRIO (incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Bio:
Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education
Runs a childcare business from her home for the past 14 years.
Both of D’Onofrio’s children attended Derby schools (daughter, class of 2009, son class of 2012)
Experience:
Running for her second term on the Board of Education
Irving School PTO, Girl Scout leader, chairperson for Derby High School’s boys’ soccer team
D’Onofrio has served on the selection committees for the principal positions at Derby High School and Bradley School, as well as for the Dean of Students at Derby Middle School.
JIM GILDEA
Party: Republican
Bio:
Lifelong Derby resident, graduate of O’Brien Tech
Works at R.C. Bigelow
Father of five
Experience:
Already served 14 years on the Derby Board of Education, including 12 as chairman
Currently on Derby’s Water Pollution Control Authority
LAURA HARRIS (incumbent)
Party: Republican
Bio:
Mother of three, grandmother of three
Retired employee of the Derby School District
Experience:
Incumbent member of the Derby Board of Education (going for her second term)
President of the Jr. Women’s Club
Past officer with school district parent groups
KIM KREIGER (incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Bio
Graduate of Seton Hall University
Parent of two sons, both attend Derby High School
Registered nurse, works in Milford
Experience:
Longest serving member of the Derby Board of Education
GEORGE KURTYKA (incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Bio:
Lifelong Derby resident
Father of two grown children
Retired Derby police officer (30 years on the job)
Works at Yale-New Haven Health Services as a Senior Patrol Officer/Investigator in the Protective Services Department
Experience:
Currently on the school board
Past member of the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation
Current member and past President of the Sons of Italy Valley Lodge #151
Member of the AM Club
Member of the Derby Elks Lodge #571
ANDY MANCINI (incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Bio:
Attended Derby Public Schools before attending St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull
Derby resident for about 40 years
Graduate of the University of New Haven
Retired Derby police office, having served as Derby’s youth officer
Experience:
Current member of the Derby Board of Education
KEN MARCUCIO, SR. (incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Bio:
Lifelong Derby resident
Father of four
Bachelor of science in business administration from Quinnipiac University
Master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Bridgeport
Administration degree from Fairfield University
Experience:
Current chairman of the Derby Board of Education
Retired Derby school teacher/athletic director/coach (36 years on the job)
REBECCA O’HARA (incumbent)
Party: Republican
Bio:
Married mom of two
Derby High School graduate
Assistant manager at the Yankee Candle Co.
Experience:
Has served two terms on the Derby Board of Education
Served as Irving School PTO president for two years
CASEY PICHECO (incumbent)
Party: Republican
Bio:
Graduate of Derby High School and Southern Connecticut State University
Director of social services at Hewitt Health and Rehab Center in Shelton
Experience:
Served two past terms on the Derby Board of Education
MARY PORTER
Party: Republican
Bio:
Married mother of five
Graduate of Gateway College
CEO of “No Vet Left Behind,” a non-profit group
Experience:
Ran for state representative
CHRISTINE ROBINSON (incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Bio:
Longtime Derby resident
Mother of three
Experience:
Current member of the Derby Board of Education
Active member of the city’s Democratic Party
