Wilton-Lyndeborough two-year seat from Wilton

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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Name: Ingrid Howard

Age: 63

Address: 59 Holt Road.

Years of residency: 62.

Political history: Florence Rideout School Board, 2009-present.

Affiliations: President of the Wilton Teachers Association from 2007-2009. Past Chairperson of the Souhegan Region Board of the NEA. Co-chairperson of the Wilton Christmas Community Organization for 30 years. An original member the Wilton Mainstreet Board of Directors. Past member, NH School Nurse association. Present member of the National Education Association and the Government Relations Committee.

Name: Kimberly Reynolds

Age: 44

Address: 321 Old County Farm Road.

Years of Residency: 11.

Political history: WLC School Budget Committee, 2006–09. WLC School Board 2009–present.

Affiliations: Member of Sacred Heart Parish.

Name: James Tuttle

Age: 60

Address: 63 Robbins Road.

Years of Residency: Have lived in Wilton since birth.

Political History: Wilton Fire Department, 1968-94, retired as captain. Elected road agent, Wilton, 1973-75. Wilton Water Commissioner, 1977-present. Wilton Zoning Board of Adjustment: 1992-present. Wilton Sewer Commissioner, 2006-present. Wilton Emergency Facilities Committee, 2008-present.

Affiliations: Member Second Congregational Church. Member, Clinton Lodge 52 F&AM.

Name: Gilbert Hargrove

Age: 49

Address: 202 Gibbons Highway.

Years of Residency: 2.

Political history: Florence Rideout Elementary School board, 2000-present.

Affiliations: U.S. Air Force, 1978-82. Milford United Methodist Church. Member Chapter 146 Association.

How do you see the new combined school district as compared to the old system of three districts?

James Tuttle:

The new district should help reduce some costs by eliminating the duplication of paperwork and administrative tasks. Many budget line items are mandated by the State but thoughtful planning and better attention can help bring others in line.

I would expect to see more parity in the programs and better coordination of curriculum between the 2 elementary schools in preparation for Junior High/Middle School and High School. Recently published test scores show our students are rapidly losing ground. There should be more accountability from the teaching staff and administration as they prepare our children for their futures.

A good educational foundation is imperative whether students plan to attend college, receive technical training or enter the work force or military. These are extraordinary times and we all want the best for our children. This needs to be balanced with both fiscal and administrative responsibility to provide the best education possible in our schools.

Gilbert Hargrove:

I see the new combined school district as being able to react to the needs of the students/parents better. As state testing gives us back information we will be able to get with all the staff and set our priorities faster. We would be able to set up the best teaching methods from the lower to upper grades. In the past each district would set up programs, but we didn’t always talk or listen to each other. The SAU will now only have to work with one board to set an agenda, instead of having to go through three boards over a matter of months. Parents who have children at two different schools with questions, now will only need to approach one board. I hope to see more parents get involved with our schools and all of the different administrations working as one.

Kim Reynolds:

I see the new combined school districts as an improvement over the separate districts with the following key advantages. One advantage is the alignment of schools with regard to policies and curriculum. By having one board oversee policies, there will be consistent values and standards throughout. Curriculum mapping is set in place in all three schools which will also helps with this alignment which keeps open communication among teachers and administration to provide a higher quality of education. Combining resources with the ability to be more efficient and reduce costs is also an advantage with this newly combined district. By having one consolidated board we were able to see what worked well for one school and how if implemented could benefit the other schools. Most of this year was spent on implementing the consolidation of the school district. Now that this is in place we can start to reap the benefits of this consolidation.

Ingrid Howard:

With the advent of a combined school district, all elementary school students will be learning the same curriculum, ensuring not only improved equity and fairness, but also a smoother transition as they move to WLC. Teachers, parents, and students can, therefore, be assured that all the students entering WLC have had access to the same education, opportunities, and resources. Middle school staff can more easily prepare lesson plans for the incoming students, who can immediately build upon their existing educational foundation.

Just as students will gain a fair and equal shake, teachers and support staff in the consolidated district will be on the same salary architecture. When the process is complete, all teachers will be held to the same standard and can expect equal pay for equal work.

A larger, cohesive district can benefit from such cost-effective measures as the sharing and balancing of resources, such as technical and maintenance personnel; cost savings from buying materials in bulk, rather than each of three schools placing separate orders; and so on.