Candidate's Statement: Carl Piedmont

Carl Piedmont
At-large candidate for the Oyster River School Board

Hello! I am Carl Piedmont, a Madbury resident running for your School Board. My wife Amy and I have four great children: Meagan, 21 years, resides in Texas, Austin attends Trinity International University on an athletic scholarship, Alfred is in 8th grade at the Middle School, and Samantha is in 4th grade at Moharimet. Since moving here over two years ago, my family has enjoyed Oyster River greatly.

My parents were teachers and I value public education tremendously. After researching New Hampshire school districts, I found that Oyster River would offer my children many benefits. Growing up in a small, Indiana college-town, I also sought a similar setting for my family. Ultimately, we chose Oyster River for its educational reputation.

To remain on top, Oyster River cannot rest on its laurels. We need to face the challenges of declining enrollment and global competition. Because two of my children still have years of schooling ahead, I have ‘skin in this game’ and a deep vested interest.  I decided serving on the Board is a great way to contribute to our children’s future success.

I consider myself to be fair, a good listener and, above all, 100% dedicated to what I do.  I support safe, drug-free schools, academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and fresh ideas. Serving cannot be taken lightly and requires doing what is best for all stakeholders: teachers, staff, parents, community members, and, most importantly, our students…they are our future!

As a School Board Member, I will try to...

• Promote school safety and initiatives to keep drugs and alcohol out of our schools
• Work with the Oyster River community to deliver a long-term strategic plan
• Raise student enrollment by attracting more families into Oyster River
• Be fiscally responsible in decision-making and the budget process
• Support programs that raise student opportunities inside and outside the classroom

My Background

• Work currently as a Northeast Sales Manager for Poseidon Barge
• Extensive restaurant industry experience
• 20+ years coaching with Police Athletic League and intramurals
• Volunteer at Meals-on-Wheels and Forks of the Wabash Historical Society
• Father of four children ranging in ages from 10 to 21 years old
• Graduated from Ball State, Muncie, Indiana with a major in Criminal Justice and minor in Business
• Raised by teachers and experienced at student teaching

Relevant Skills

• Fresh viewpoints and innovative ideas to support students and the community
• Budget preparation and financial analysis
• Communication skills including good listening
• Negotiation acumen to reach reasonable agreements
• Volunteerism including coaching and serving in the community

Thank you and please remember to vote on March 12th!

Carl Piedmont
www.carlpiedmont.com

Candidate's Statement: Tom Newkirk

Editor's note: At last night's session, School Board candidate (and current vice-chair) asked me to post the following.  Again, this should not be considered an endorsement; I am happy to publish statements from any and all candidates.  

Candidate—Oyster River Cooperative School District (At Large Seat)

Tom Newkirk

• Durham resident since 1987 and father of three children who attended and graduated from the Oyster River Schools
• Former high school teacher and Professor of English at the University of New Hampshire in my 36^th  year
• Nationally recognized author on literacy
• Founder and Director of the New Hampshire Literacy Institutes and the Writers Academy for middle and high school students

Achievements this Year:

This year I have served as Vice-Chair of the Board.  With so many new members the learning curve was steep for all of us, but I believe that the Board successfully moved beyond the contention and controversy of the previous year. In particular we have:

• Established a tone of civility and respect. The Board has worked cohesively with almost all votes—including the vote on the budget—being unanimous.
• Established a good working relationship with our skilled new superintendent, Dr. Jim Morse.
• Continued the important and successful work on energy reduction in our schools.
• Taken the first steps to develop a capital improvement plan.
• Made significant staff reductions without any involuntary lay-offs.
• Re-started work on the Strategic Plan.
• Begun exploration of tuition agreements with neighboring towns that can significantly affect future budgets.

Challenges Ahead

• Negotiation of new teacher contract.  We want to maintain a salary and benefit package that will allow us to continue to attract the very best applicants. But we will also need to ensure that benefits are comparable to comparator school systems.

• Tuitioning in students at the high school. This decision needs to be made with great care. The options need to be clearly presented to the public, with costs challenges, and benefits for each. The community needs to be deeply involved in this decision, and be given the opportunity to express its views—perhaps through a non-binding referendum.

• Capital Improvement. According to a number of recent facility studies, we have 4 million dollars in needed facility improvements. In my view, delaying these improvements is false economy. We will need to face up to this situation  through substantial annual budget appropriations, or through a warrant article for a bond.

• Rebalancing Student Populations in Elementary Schools. Currently Moharimet Elementary School has 80 more students than Mast Way (which is actually the larger school).  This situation is not likely to change because most of the new housing is in Madbury. As a result we are paying for modular classrooms at Moharimet ($17,000/ year) when there is space at Mast Way. We need to work toward sensitive and sensible plan to rebalance the population.

• Work Toward High Academic Standards Without Being Driven by Standardized Tests. I am in favor of many of the ideals of the Common Core State Standards—greater depth, the thoughtful reading of difficult texts, a greater variety of kinds of reading and writing. But I am concerned that the Common Core is so tied to testing. I have been stunned by how much it will cost the district to even administer the new Smarter Balanced tests.

                                                                                    Vote March 12 in Your District

ORCSD Candidates' Websites

I attended Candidates' Night yesterday; if you weren't able to be there, try to catch the re-run on DCAT--it will be well worth you time.

While there, I was able to chat with all three candidates and asked them all for links to their blogs, websites, etc.

• Tom Newkirk: www.tomnewkirk.wordpress.com

• Carl Piedmont: www.carlpiedmont.com

• Kenny Rotner: www.kennyrotner.wordpress.com

Candidate's Statement: Kenny Rotner

Editor's note: the following is a statement by Kenny Rotner, candidate for School Board. 

Our publication of this statement does not constitute an endorsement; rather it is posted here as a public service, in order that the voters of the District may be fully informed before making their choices on Election Day.

We welcome all candidates to send in a statement; we are happy to publish any that we receive.

--Tom Bebbington


My name is Kenny Rotner and I am very pleased to be running for one of the at-large seats on the ORCSD School Board.

Background and Qualifications:

My wife, Tracy Schroeder and I moved to Durham in 1986. A major factor in our choosing Durham was the reputation of the ORCSD. I have worked as a family doctor in this area for these past 26 years, first at Durham Family Health (a practice that I started as a solo physician) and now at Woodbury Family Practice. Tracy and I are now “empty nesters” except for our ball and stick loving Golden Retriever, Casey. Our daughter Emma attended the Oyster River Schools from kindergarten through her High School graduation in June, 2012. Her experience throughout her years in the ORCSD has led her to be the critical reader, writer and thinker she is today. After many years of volunteering and being involved, I find myself with the time and energy to contribute to our schools in a different way.

As a physician, I am acutely aware of the financial difficulties faced by many in our area and how those strains limit the options open to some people. I wholeheartedly endorse the recent efforts taken by Dr. Morse and the School Board to contain spending and expect that process to continue. Excellent schools are important, but they must also be affordable. I commend the current School Board for achieving great savings through the re-commissioning of our High School as well as the early retirement incentives that were offered and accepted by some of our current staff

I am currently serving on a Future Search Steering Committee that was put together by our Superintendent with the purpose of deriving a community supported Strategic Plan for our school district. I believe that finally having a working Strategic Plan in place will take our schools to that next level while allocating our tax dollars in a prudent manner.

Beliefs:

I am a firm believer in the importance of a strong public education system. Day by day, the world becomes more complicated and competitive, and only through quality public schools will the children in our society be able to play meaningful roles, however each individual defines that, in this changing world. A solid public education is the necessary foundation our children need to keep our country strong as well as empowering them to take on any challenges they so desire. If I am so fortunate to be on the School Board, I will always be an advocate for a strong public education system.

That being said, the ORCSD faces many challenges now and in the near future. As good as I think our schools are, I certainly believe that they can and must be better. As a district, we face declining enrollments in the coming years. Difficult decisions will need to be made in order to address this reality. Balancing the number of students at our two elementary schools will also need a feasible and acceptable solution.

We are fortunate to live in this supportive community and privileged to have such great staff in our schools. Most of all, we are fortunate to have such special children, no matter what their level of academic skill is or their unique needs may be. We must continue to see that all of the students in the ORCSD reach their full potential.

I hope that I can count on your support on Election Day so that I may participate in the effort to make our high level schools even better. I pledge to be fair, honest and open and will always listen to the many voices in our community. Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy.

UPDATE: Deadline for Submission of Questions for ORCSD Candidates Night Extended

A call to the ORCSD Central Office earlier today resulted in an agreement to extend the deadline for submission of questions for Wednesday's Candidates' Night until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Please submit your questions by calling 868-5100 x2002 or by emailing wdifruscio@orcsd.org.

ORCSD School Board Candidates Night--Questions Due Noon TODAY

The ORCSD Candidates' Night, sponsored by the OR Middle School PTO, will be held this Wednesday evening, February 20, at 7:00 p.m. in Room C-124 at the High School.

Questions for the candidates are due by noon today, February 18.  They can be submitted by calling 868-5100 x2002 or by emailing wdifruscio@orcsd.org.

Union Leader: At Town Hall, Openness Pays, Durham Official Says

This morning's Union Leader ran an article (on the front page, no less) which prominently features Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig's thoughts on the need for openness and transparency in the conduct of local government.  It makes for interesting reading: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130218/NEWS06/130219172

We link to this article with the kind permission of Joseph McQuaid, publisher of the Union Leader.

DPL: Competency Based Learning and the Impact of New State Regulations on ORCSD

Back by popular demand, Fred Bramante will host a Community Forum on the impact of new state regulations on our school district on Tuesday, February 12, from 6:00--8:00 p.m. at the Durham Public Library.  

Preregistration is strongly suggested; send an email to durhampl@gmail.com, with the subject line: Register for Community Forum.

Mr. Bramante will take questions on changes to the NH State Education Regulations and how they could affect local schools. Questions will be submitted in a written format and answered by Mr. Bramante as well as audience members. Questions submitted ahead of time are encouraged; please send them to the email address above.

Candidates for School Board Announced

The filing period for Oyster River Cooperative School District School Board candidates ended Friday; three citizens have announced their candidacy for the two at-large positions:

• Thomas Newkirk (resident of Durham)
• Carl Piedmont (resident of Madbury)
• Kenneth Rotner (resident of Durham)

In addition, Richard Laughton (resident of Durham) will run for Moderator; that race is uncontested.

Mark your calendars:

• A Candidates' Night is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20th, at 7:00 p.m at the High School.
• Election Day is Tuesday, March 12.