By Andrew Corselli, Staff Writer
Each of the six candidates for three spots on the Board of Education share the belief that this budget is the best one in recent memory.
Frank Herbert, Jenn Haley, Judy Haas, Chris Pulsifer, Marissa Sladek and David Wald all support the Hillsborough Education Association’s agreement to increase its payment for health benefits and see it as a cornerstone to the 2011-12 proposed budget.
”I think it’s a wonderful, historic, unprecedented agreement that allows us to move forward,” said Ms. Haas. “It saves us from having to privatize the 270 jobs and it creates a situation in the future where we’ll get continuing growth and contributions that will help us versus increases in rate.”
Ms. Haley said, “I can honestly say, in four years this is the first time I support the budget,” Five of the six candidates said they would vote for the tax levy to support the budget and encourage others to do the same. Ms. Haley said she would need time to look over everything before making a decision. However, she did say that she was willing to spend more money this year in taxes, if that what it takes.
”A lot of people’s taxes are going to go down. Some people’s are up, but for me I’m willing to make that sacrifice,” she said.
Ms. Sladek said the items she looked at with regards to the budget “are pretty good.” However, the one thing she does not agree with is the salary of some of the administrators.
Mr. Herbert feels that programs every year should be up for review. He said that each program should be looked at for “affordability in the context of the economic conditions and the impact on property tax.” He also said that relevance and participation should be taken into account, especially with extra-curricular activities and optional courses.
”In some past years, once something was in the budget it stayed there forever. I don’t think that’s a good way,” he said.
He is also in favor of the full-time kindergarten program, with which Ms. Haley concurs. The program, he said, could generate revenue from the tuition that parents would pay.
Mr. Pulsifer and Mr. Wald both agree that money being spent should be going towards helping the children.
”I think our class sizes are too large for where they should be, they don’t have that one-on-one or that smaller feel of a class,” Mr. Wald said. “It also hurts the teachers because they’re dealing with a larger population in their classes and it’s hard to get their message across, not to mention grading papers.”
”We should be doing everything we possibly can for the students,” Mr. Pulsifer said.
Ms. Haley is also behind bringing back the elementary Spanish programs, funding special needs programs and instructions for healthy living.
”I’m also a big supporter of athletics,” the former athlete said. “We need more intense health programs focusing on eating and making wise choices from a young age.”
Ms. Haas said she was in favor of spending more on curriculum and instruction and less on energy, health benefits and things that don’t directly affect the children’s education.
”I do question why our superintendent is making the salary he does,” Ms. Sladek said. “It’s my understanding that he should not be making over a specific amount. He and another employee make above that specific amount, which, if I remember, is $173,000. If teachers are making concessions I think superintendents should be making concessions.”

