Budget, openness themes at school board debate

RONAN — Challengers running for the Ronan school boards consistently alluded to a recent audit that left about $150,000 unaccounted for and made allegations that the current board members and administrators are hard to approach.

Incumbents at the April 23 candidate forum in the performing arts center continually said communication between the public, board members and administration was an “open door” and that, despite the audit, the budget was given the highest rating from the district’s accountant.

The Ronan Pablo Education Association organized the event attended by about 70.

Most candidates read from prepared statements when answering and no audience members were allowed to ask any questions. Barry Baker was the moderator.

School board election ballots must be returned by May 6.

The District 30 candidates attending the forum were Mark Cheff, incumbent Carmel Couture, Francine Dupuis and Adam Wood. They are running for one 3-year term.

Those in the district 31 were incumbent Board Chair Mark Clary, Bob Cornwell and Rich Janssen, Jr. They are running for two 3-year terms.

“People don’t feel comfortable speaking to the board,” said Dupuis. “I found after making comments some board members’ reactions were rude and condescending.”

Transparency was a consistent issue.

“If people have questions, they should ask them during board meetings or at the district office,”

Janssen said.

Cheff believes it isn’t that easy.

“If the field cries lack of transparency then there must be a lack of transparency,” Cheff said. “I believe that is something that has to be looked into.”

Clary said the district’s information was easily accessible.

“The agenda’s on the website and minutes, and other files are available,” he said. “Employee and student confidentiality comes before the public’s rights to know. I’d like to see the public become more educated on these topics.”

Couture defended the district.

“What’s happening with money…is all public,” she said. “But accusations in the newspaper might lead people to believe other things are going on.”

Cornwell hopes the board members would be more approachable and lamented that community members aren’t engaged in their schools.

“People must believe that when they do speak up, that it has an impact,” he said. “When it comes to something non-sports related, what do we have to do (to get parents interested)? The web, social media?”

There are concerns about reduced funding in the wake of two services to help low-achieving students eliminated due to budget cuts.

“We’re not getting any new money from the state or feds very soon,” said Cornwell, wants to know which programs are effective. “We need Grants. Maybe we should have a trouble-shooting session, including students.”

But Wood questioned the structure of the eliminated programs.

“We do need classes for kids who don’t excel in a traditional classroom,” he said. “I walked by one of these classes and I was not impressed. It was chaotic and could have been done better.”

Janssen took a different approach.

“Why did we lose the funding in the first place?” he said.