Three Baldwinsville Board of Education seats are up for election this year with four candidates vying for the three seats.
The candidates are incumbents Lawrence Ordway (current vice president) and Joan Reeves, as well as contenders Kenneth Dwyer and Steve Schweitzer. Current board member Greg Hudson has decided not to run.
Residents will have the opportunity to cast their votes during next week’s budget vote and board election. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday May 18 in the auditorium of Baker High School at 29 E. Oneida St. in the village. Once elected by the public, the board members will elect the president and vice president during the annual organizational meeting in July.
The Baldwinsville Messenger recently interviewed the candidates to see what issues they feel are facing the Baldwinsville Central School District. Featured below are candidate Joan Reeves’ responses:
Joan Reeves
Years living in Baldwinsville:
“I have lived in Baldwinsville all my life.”
BOE Experience:
“I have served as a member of the Baldwinsville Central School District Board of Education since 1981 having served 12 years as vice president and five years as president.”
Experience in the Educational Field:
“I have been a member of the Baldwinsville Central School District Board of Education since 1981, as well as many committees of the BOE: member of the Onondaga-Cortland Madison BOCES Board of Education for three years; member of the Board of Directors of the Onondaga-Madison School Boards Association for 17 years; many workshops, conventions, and seminars relating to schools and boards of education. I also have several family members who have worked for different schools districts across the country.”
What makes you qualified to serve on the Baldwinsville Board of Education?
“I know the district and the people. My love and commitment to my community drives me to continue to serve.”
What are the issues facing the Baldwinsville Central School District?
“Our biggest issue is the major cuts in funding. We need to balance a quality education program that is affordable to the community. It is time to think outside the box. We are in tough times. We need to do more with less.”
If elected, how do you intend to address those issues?
“We need to look at everything we do. How can we do it for less and/or how can we do things differently with the same result and more efficiently? We always need to look at how we can continue to get our students to achieve to their best levels to be successful. We need to continue to lobby to get rid of unfunded and under funded mandates.”
When it comes to the district budget, what are your priorities?
“We have to get the entire staff involved. We need to brainstorm every area to see how we can get the job done at less cost. We need to make sure the instructional program is kept at a level where all students have the opportunity to be their best. These are the toughest times and challenges I have ever seen in education. Spending cuts have to be across the board when funding is decreased at these levels.”
Regarding the budget, how do you propose to deal with federal, state and local cuts to financial aid?
“We cannot keep putting this on the taxpayer. Fortunately, we have planned for some of this, but not to these levels. We need to include everyone in brainstorming how we do the same or more with less.”
