Some mornings, the news conveniently comes to my mailbox. I found this flier (61KB PDF) outside just now. Whether you agree or disagree with the perspectives here, I'm delighted to see people bringing candidates to the area and encouraging serious questioning.
Posted by simon at May 12, 2005 12:19 PM in Varna , schools (Ithaca)Board of Education Candidate Forum at Varna Friday, May 13, 7:00-9:00 pm
Varna Community Center, 943 Dryden Road (Route 366)
FIVE of the six candidates for the Ithaca City School District Board of Education have said they will appear.
The greater the turnout, the greater the chance that newly elected Board members will take the concerns of Varna residents seriously.
What are the issues?
- Redistricting.
Varna has been re-assigned to Caroline Elementary School and is no longer in the Cayuga Heights Elementary School district. Caroline Elementary is 7+ miles fiom Varna. Cayuga Heights Elementary is 3 1/2 miles from Varna. The people of Varna had almost no input in this decision. Come express your views.
- Budgets.
Rising assessments and tax rates spell double digit increases in school taxes. Let the candidates know how tight our personal budgets are and why we cannot support large increases forever.
- Communication.
The Board has had a poor record of communication with district citizens in the last year. The dissatisfaction with redistricting is an obvious symptom. This is an opportunity to question candidates about their commitment to communicating with Varna citizens.
- Qualifications and Experience
The candidates have very different backgrounds and experience with the Ithaca City School District. Listen to candidates tell us why they believe themselves to be best qualified and experienced for election to the board.
Please consider coming out to speak with the candidates about these and any other issue that concerns you.
Organized by residents of Varna, Pat and Tom Brenna <jtb4@cornell.edu>, and the Varna Community Association.