Five political party-endorsed candidates and one write-in candidate are competing for the three vacancies listed on the November 3 ballot.

The PTO Advisory Council hosted a Candidates Forum on October 20 at Pomperaug High School, giving all six an opportunity to present themselves for public scrutiny in person and through simultaneous broadcast on Channel 17.

Hopefully many more voters than the handful that showed up at Pomperaug High School turned on their television sets to watch a highly motivated, highly qualified, and highly articulate cast of candidates parade their capabilities in an intense 90-minutes of non-stop questioning.

In fact, about half way through the program, the moderator, Toula Ousouljoglou, seemed concerned enough about the pace to suggest that the panel open their water bottles and refresh their energies.

Collectively they have advanced university degrees, are committed volunteers and are Southbury taxpayers. They are entrepreneurs with strong views about the value of education in preparing children to face the challenges, opportunities and rewards of the 21st century.

They are sensitive to the budgetary constraints imposed by today's economic crisis, but confident that smart management of available resources can oil the gears that make the system work.

They have children and grandchildren attending region schools. Two are Pomperaug High School graduates. Those "from away" deliberately chose Southbury in large part because of the excellent reputation of Region 15.

They understand the significance of good schools to maintaining property values and the town's prosperity.

That said, "It's about the money" and "It's the budget" were the recurring themes of the panel discussion. They have seen foreclosures on the streets where they live.

Patricia Perry has served on the board since the "early 1970s" and having shepherded four sons through the region's schools is now engaged with her grandchildren's progress through Gainfield and Rochambeau.

She is the board's vice chair and chairman of the Personnel, Policies and Curriculum committee.

John Bucciarelli has lived in Southbury his whole life, attended Region 15 schools, holds a master's degree, served 20 years in the U.S. military, "all over the world."

He is also running for the Zoning Board of Appeals and serves on the Economic Development Commission.

Janet Butkus holds a master's in psychology and has had a career as a health care administrator. Since moving to Southbury, she and her husband have started a business renovating and selling Heritage Village condos.

She is the president of her Homeowners Association.

Robert Barnes graduated from Pomperaug High School in 1995 and earned a degree in history at UConn. He runs a charter boat company and is chairman of the Lake Zoar Authority.

Kelley Gurvis is serving out her first term on the board and is a member of its finance committee. Her background is corporate finance.

She and her family moved to Southbury in 2002. She has been recognized as a Gainfield School Volunteer of the Year.

Susanne Navas has lived in many parts of the world, is multi-lingual, has a master's degree from American University, teaches Spanish, is a professional photographer and does volunteer work with children in Waterbury.

Talking points in the fast moving exchange included:

- Fix the achievement gap between college-bound and average students. Deal with issues involving drugs, lack of motivation and the boredom factor.

- Expand the World Language program from its current French and Spanish. Introduce the program into the elementary schools.

- Increase the length of the school day and extend the year. Out of the 180 state-mandated days of the academic year, only 152 are full days.

- But, it's the budget! Without intelligent oversight, cost increases will outpace the ability to pay for basic, necessary services. Unfunded mandates create a huge burden. Rules for state and federal grants need revision.

Class size at present is within the range of normal.

The role of party politics? Ms. Perry was unequivocal: "In 25 years, I have never voted along party lines. Never, ever. We're a region, ten people from two towns working together."

Ms. Navas: "It's only about the kids."

Mr. Bucciarelli said that the rule of public service is to check your politics at the door and do what's best for the town. He went on to observe that, however, "The political process gets us where we are."

And when Mr. Barnes said later that he is running as an independent without endorsement from the Republican party, Mr. Bucciarelli pointed out that he himself is endorsed by the Republican party "and so are Ms. Perry and Ms. Butkus."

At this point it would be fair to note that, according to the sample ballot form, Ms. Navas and Ms. Gurvis are endorsed by the Democrats.