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Running for the three available 4-year spots on the Board are Iacono, Kery, Liu, Kennelly and Campbell. Candidates Fattibene and Albin are running for the one available 2-year seat. Albin is the 22 year-old son of the current Chairman of the Board of Education, Catherine Albin.
Asked to identify the most important issue the BOE is currently facing, most candidates pointed to the job of hiring a new school superintendent as the current Superintendent Ann Clark retires at the end of this school year. Kery, Iacono, Albin and Kennelly all described the search for Clark's replacement as the paramount job of the Board. Kery likened the job of superintendent to that of a CEO, managing a $140 million business. Explaining the importance of the task, Iacono said, "We need to find a person of vision, with excellent management skills, a politically savvy individual and someone able to keep an eye on the bottom line." Both Kennelly and Albin felt it is important to look for a superintendent with a proven track record, a leader who could communicate with both parents and staff. "We are looking for a partner in the job of teaching our children," said Kennelly.
Liu placed the school budget as the BOE's number one issue saying, "The Board in the past has not been acting proactively, everything seems like we are just putting out fires." According to Liu the BOE must act responsibly when it comes to the budget and noted he was in favor of a forensic audit. Fattibene identified middle school space as the Board's most important pending problem explaining it is an immediate and pressing challenge.
The group moved on to discuss the topic of negotiating union contracts where both Iacono and Albin highlighted the key to labor negotiations is to have a goal and strategy before initiating discussions. Fattibene and Kery took the topic further explaining that in contract negotiations there is nothing wrong with being demanding, willing to take a tough stance and not shying away from arbitration. Fattibene said, "The Town needs to stick to its resolve and give a reasonable best and final."
Kery reminded the audience that at this year's budget hearings when the BOE Chairman was asked by the Board of Finance if the BOE had approached the union to discuss give backs, the chairman responded that the BOE had not spoken to the unions yet. Kery noted that if the teachers union had agreed to freeze their salaries for one year the Town would have had a savings of over $2 million.
In closing statements each candidate explained why he or she was seeking a spot on the BOE and how their backgrounds and interests would benefit the Board of Education, the students and the community. A product of Fairfield public schools, Albin explained the Board needs an individual who has first hand knowledge of the school system. "I bring perspective no one else has brought," said Albin. In favor of having more transparency between the BOE and the community Albin said he would lobby for a website that would show where the school budget monies were going. Maintaining throughout the night her passion for education Kennelly explained that her 19 years in education has been a fulfilling experience and she would bring an excellent and unique perspective to the Board.
Incumbent candidate Iacono pointed to her areas of expertise, specifically experience in negotiating union contracts and her Human Resource background when it comes to the hiring of a new superintendent. An active member of the PTA with three school-aged children, Iacono is a strong advocate for a fiscally responsible budget, and stressed her belief in an open and transparent government.
A Fairfield resident for 5 years, Liu maintained people want to be heard, considered and respected. The Board in his opinion needs to be responsible to everyone in the community, which includes parents without children in school and seniors. "You need people with diverse backgrounds," said Liu "public school is not about one type of kid."
Fattibene explained that he believes in education, "It's good for the students and for the community." A lifelong resident of Fairfield he has been actively involved in the Town as an 11-year member of the RTM, reviewing budgets, additions and renovations. Fattibene noted that serving on the BOE would be a natural progression for him. "I have no other motivation other than I believe in education," said Fattibene.
Another alumnus of the Fairfield public school system and a father of four Kery noted his love of the community, his involvement in the PTA and a co-founder of the Fairfield School Space Coalition. As a business owner with the experience of running a $300 million company, Kery stressed he has something unique to add to the BOE. Emphasizing he will be a tireless advocate for children Kery said, "Education is the greatest gift we can give our children."
