Next Tuesday, May 20, residents of the Liverpool Central School District will go to the polls to choose three board members from four candidates and to decide on a $132 million budget. In order to assist them in that endeavor, here are brief bios of the candidates as well as a breakdown of the budget proposal. For the candidates’ full answers, visit cnylink.com.
Budget breakdown
2008-09 budget: $132, 981,924
Budget-to-budget increase over 2007-08: $5,328,914 (4.17 percent)
Tax rate increase: 0.12 percent
Of the total budget:
73.4 percent ($97,598,020) goes to pupil instruction, including personnel, materials, supplies and equipment.
3.4 percent ($4,522,895) goes to central administration.
10.8 percent ($14,422,132) goes to operations and maintenance.
6.1 percent ($8,074,308) goes to transportation.
6.3 percent ($8,364,570) goes to debt service and transfers.
Bus replacement referendum (Proposition No. 2)
The district is also asking residents to vote on a bus replacement referendum in the amount of $984,018 to be taken from the district’s capital reserve fund. That money will purchase:
Seven 66-passenger buses
Two 15-passenger buses with wheelchair station
One 7-passenger Suburban
Two pickup trucks with dump boxes for maintenance staff
This vote will be decided separate from the budget vote.
Mark Lawson candidate info
Biographical information (name, family, occupation, years in the district):
J. Mark Lawson
Pastor, United Church of Christ in Bayberry
Adjunct Professor of Religion, LeMoyne College
Married to Martha, a teacher at Chestnut Hill Middle School.
Three sons — Aaron, a junior at Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Alex, a junior at LHS; and Nathaniel, a freshman at LHS.
Resident of Liverpool for 18 years.
Why are you running for school board?
I am running for the school board because I believe that the education of our children is among the community’s most important priorities. Not only is this an important moral and civic responsibility, but there is also a direct correlation between the quality of local schools and the quality of life in the community. Over the last six years as a member of the board, I have come to appreciate the transition that is taking place in our student population and our community, as well as the complexities of education policy and finance. I believe this experience is crucial for helping the board and administration exercise sound judgment about the future direction of the district.
What challenges do you think the district is facing right now, and how will you address them as a board member?
We face many challenges, but most of them fall within two broad areas.
First, like most upstate districts, we face an ongoing funding crisis. School district expenses are disproportionately affected by rising fuel costs (for buses and heating of buildings), and rising health care and retirement costs. In addition, unfunded state and federal mandates continue to stress local school budgets. Because state funding does not keep up with these costs, property taxes keep rising. While we must never allow this funding issue to derail us from the primary mission of educating students, there are several measures we can take at the local level, such as 1) constantly evaluating programs and cutting those that do not perform well, 2 eliminating unneeded staff positions through attrition, 3) taking maximum advantage of BOCES services, 4) reducing health costs through regional consortiums and careful contract negotiations with employees, 5) examining all options for maximizing the use of our buildings (which then increases state aid on building projects), and 6) continuing efforts with other school districts to push for reform of the state school funding formula, which, though somewhat improved, still badly shortchanges many upstate districts, including Liverpool.
Second, Liverpool faces the challenge of adjusting its philosophy and curriculum to address adequately the demographic changes that are taking place in our community. Success today requires a much different approach to education than in the days when Liverpool was an up-and-coming, homogenous suburb made up almost entirely of middle-class families with school-age children. Today, more than one in four of our students receive free or reduced-price lunches, and the number increases every year. More and more of our students are learning English as a second language. In addition to economic and cultural diversity, the institution of family is in disarray in our society, which means that an increasing number of our students come from emotionally difficult home environments. These kinds of changes are best addressed through staff development, as well as recruitment of teachers and administrators who understand how to address such challenges effectively.
How do you propose that the district provide continually improving services and education to our children while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget?
We do not have to choose between improving services and maintaining fiscal responsibility. In fact, the two go hand in hand. In addition to employing strategies like the ones listed above, the board and administration have tightened fiscal controls at every level. In the last few years, we have reduced many of our operating costs, not only to keep the budget under control, but also — and more importantly — so that we can alter, expand or add to our existing programs and effectively meet the changing needs of our students.
Is there anything else you would like to mention, either about the district itself or about your candidacy?
Over the last two years, our school district has weathered an 11-month investigation by the District Attorney that turned up nothing, a full audit by the State Comptroller, a publicly touted lawsuit by a disgruntled employee and a referendum defeat. Unfortunately, these are the stories about Liverpool schools that have gotten all the media attention, and have made this last term on the school board often stressful and difficult.
But the sensational headlines are distractions that obscure the real story about Liverpool, one that I am proud to help write. In 2005, our four-year graduation rate was 69 percent – better than the state average, but not up to our standards. This year, we anticipate that the four-year graduation rate will be between 85 and 90 percent. That is a remarkable accomplishment. Test scores in math and English (the subjects tested by the state and federal government) have improved at every grade level. Liverpool students regularly score in the top percentile in national foreign language exams. At regional events like Academic Decathlon, Science Olympiad, Math League, National History Day, Robotics competition, All-County Band, Orchestra, and Chorus (just to mention a few), Liverpool is consistently among the best-represented districts, and often our students take the lion’s share of awards from such events. Our athletic programs are competitive in every sport, and as varied as they are successful.
When you see the whole picture of the Liverpool School District, then you know we all have reason to be proud. I believe in what we are doing, and I am glad to offer myself for another term of service.
Matt Jones candidate info
Biographical information (name, family, occupation, years in the district):
I spent 13 years in the Liverpool Central School District. During my four years at Liverpool High, I was active in the high school community serving three years as a student representative and one year as the School-Wide President. During my service I built strong working relationships with many of our districts administrators and teachers. I also grew a sense of pride in the Liverpool Central School District. Currently I am attending Onondaga Community College with plans to transfer to Oswego to earn my teaching degree. The teachers in this district are the reason why I decided to become a teacher. I credit most if not all of my successes so far to the teachers in this district; their love and dedication helped me become the person I am today. I currently live in Liverpool and plan to stay at my home while attending SUNY Oswego. I plan to live the rest of my life in this community; I can not wait to be in a position to work with my neighbors to make it one where others can see themselves living the rest of their lives in as well.
Why are you running for school board?
I am running because I know that my presence on our district’s board of education will bring about the kind of changes we need for our students, our teachers and our community. I’m running because I know I will be able to make a difference. I will offer the kind of perspective and insight that is currently absent on the board. I plan to regain the trust of the people in our district by advocating for transparency and honesty. I plan to fight to lower taxes by working to limit excessive and needless spending that my opponents have supported. I plan to fight for our students who need a leader they can look up to and expect more from. I plan to fight for our teachers and staff by working to provide them with the amenities they need. I am running for the board of education because we need to get things done. I am a problem solver and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work!
What challenges do you think the district is facing right now, and how will you address them as a board member?
There are many issues that we are facing and I am prepared to take them on if and when I am elected: Obviously we need to do a better job of saving our taxpayers’ money. I plan to vote against any proposal that I feel is excessive. I plan to work with my fellow board members to offer our constituents the leanest budget proposal possible. We do this by using all of the financial aid we are offered by the state, something that the current board and my opponents for some reason have decided not to do every year. Another issue other than the obvious (providing our students with the best learning environment possible.) is regaining the trust of the people in our district. We do this by refocusing our attention back on to the issues that matter such as the quality of education, providing our teachers with a proper work environment, saving tax payers’ money- and less attention on spinning news stories to prevent scandals. We need to get back to basics. The BOE is responsible for educating the next generation; we must get our priorities straightened out and work harder for our community.
How do you propose that the district provide continually improving services and education to our children while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget?
First of all, we have to use all of the financial aid provided to us by the state before we take money out the pockets of our taxpayers. Second we spend responsibly. We only fund projects that are working and that have proven benefits to our students. I will vote against any proposal that I feel is excessive and that will unnecessarily increase the tax burden on the families in our community. I will also work with my fellow board members to come up with new and creative ways to raise funds for our district. I will reach out to our community for advice and input on how to save money and address other issues we may face.
Is there anything else you would like to mention, either about the district itself or about your candidacy?
With price of gas increasing every day and with the cost of living doing the same, our residents are in desperate need of financial relief. I feel that we can provide that relief by lowering taxes in our school district. If I am elected to the Board of Education on May 20, I will bring with me the following four point plan:
1. We should absolutely use all state aid to reduce the tax burden on the local taxpayer
2. We can only amend the voter-approved budget for emergency and unanticipated expenses
3. We should always include all known items in the proposed budget to taxpayers and not leave out items to make the budget look smaller.
4. We just have to get back to priority spending. This means we spend sensibly on projects and other expenditures are only 100 percent necessary. As I have said before I plan to vote against any piece of spending that I feel is unnecessary. We have to get back to basics; we have to start saving our tax payers money.
Many people in our community are tired of the seemingly endless amount of controversy coming from our district. I believe that this controversy has badly damaged our image and made our district less attractive to families moving into the area. We need to make the case to families that Liverpool Central School District is one that provides an excellent education for our students and prepares them for the real world. With our increasing graduation rates and our other academic achievements it is clear that we have some of the most talented and dedicated teachers in the area. Let’s show case our strengths and move beyond the controversy. Let’s spend more time on providing the best education possible for our students and less time spinning headlines. On May 20, we have the opportunity to strengthen our district by electing the kind of leadership our students, teachers and community need.
Pat Mouton candidate info
Biographical information (name, family, occupation, years in the district.
Husband Steve, son David, daughter Joanna, grandson Gerard. I taught English at Liverpool High School for 19 years. I have served on the Liverpool board of education for six years.
Why are you running for school board?
I am running for the school board for a variety of reasons. I believe professional educators should be represented on the board. I was delighted when Donna Marsh O’Conner, a former college teacher of writing, and Richard Pento, a science teacher, joined the board last year. I see my role as being a guardian of quality curriculum in this period of economic hardships where, in an effort to alleviate the tax burden, one might favor cutting program without considering the consequences of such a cut. Having been an educator for many years and having served on many curriculum committees in a number of districts, I feel qualified to make certain judgments about the worthwhile nature of particular programs and projects. Too, having spent my most productive years teaching in this district I feel deeply invested in its progress and great loyalty to its staff.
What challenges do you think the district is facing right now, and how will you address them as a board member?
As most districts, our district is being severely challenged in obtaining funding for maintaining the quality of our schools. First and foremost is our need to renovate Liverpool Elementary School and Liverpool Middle School and to re-establish the playability (if there is such a word) of our stadium and its grounds. As a board, we have listened to the taxpayers and have revised our plans. We are putting forth a new referendum on June 27. As a single board member, all I can do is communicate this need to our community as clearly as possible and to act with the other board members in putting forth reasonable propositions.
How do you propose that the district provide continually improving services and education to our children while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget?
Well, providing continually improving services and education to our children while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget is a very difficult task considering the costs of all these services are increasing at astounding rates. I would first say that we should be very discerning in selecting and expanding our programs. For those programs we deem as worthy, we should be seeking funding from outside sources. I must say that our administrators have been quite successful in this respect. Through their efforts this year, we have received a million dollars to help finance a number
