Interview: Primerano challenges Rose for two-year school board seat

A two-year Board of Education seat this year is determined by a separate head-to-head contest between incumbent Republican Sandi Rose and Democrat Charles Primerano, who serves on the town’s Charter Revision Commission.

Ms. Rose has been a school board member since 2001 and is a former president of the Council of PTAs. She has worked as a paraprofessional in the elementary and middle schools, as the school system’s volunteer coordinator, and now works as a Realtor.

Mr. Primerano is an information technology consultant and a technical writer who has also written plays and music. He is a member of the Democratic Town Committee.

Here are their answers to questions from The Press.

1. The sitting board has been wrestling with possible reconfiguration of the elementary schools, including a school closing. What’s your perspective on this debate?

PRIMERANO: One of the redistricting options may be the best choice, but first the collected data should be validated and fed into models built by an independent expert. An expert can use modern statistical techniques to show the probabilities of a wide range of outcomes. Such an expert can also help interpret results. He can show opportunities as well as risks.

The difference between getting it wrong and getting it right could be in the tens of millions of dollars. The board has a responsibility to the taxpayers to invest in expert advice to help make the right decision. The board also has the responsibility to take the time needed to make the right decision.

My wife Sharon and I, as working parents of two daughters, know first-hand how important quality daycare and full-time kindergarten are. I believe any reconfiguration solution should include full-time kindergarten and maintain “Children’s Corner.”

ROSE: A shrinking student population necessitates that the Board of Education take some steps that will accommodate fewer students while keeping in mind the long-term needs of the school system. It is premature to know what that exact solution should be since the BOE has not discussed the options described in the report nor have they had the opportunity to ask their own questions. Before any decision can be made we need to review a detailed plan to ensure that the students’ needs are met.

2. The schools got a 1% budget increase for the current 2009-10 year, following increases of 4.58% in 2008-09, 5.87% in 2007-08, 6.69% in 2006-07 and 6.67% in 2005-06. What do you think would be a reasonable level next year, and in what areas would you look to spend more or less?

PRIMERANO: Without quality schools, Ridgefield ceases to be Ridgefield. We are competing with other towns for new residents. That’s what sets real estate values. We have a reputation that we cannot take for granted.

The level of increase should be based on maintaining a quality school system, never an arbitrary number. Good budgets are started from the bottom up, not the top down. Before we can know what a realistic increase is, we need to look at the needs of our school system. In real terms, we cut last year’s school budget. There is no more to cut and maintain quality.

With an improved and comprehensive technology plan, we may be able to use our existing technology budget more effectively, but as the demand for technological literacy grows, we will need to invest more in programs and resources that will help prepare our children for the careers of the 21st Century.

ROSE: A reasonable increase in the school budget very much depends on the proposed programming for the next school year and the increase amounts of fixed costs. The members of the board understand that many people are struggling in this difficult economy but they must also adhere to their charge of giving the town the best possible education for the children.

3. Do you think the schools should go from half-day to full-day kindergarten? If so, how soon?

PRIMERANO: I support full-day kindergarten. Both of our daughters attended full-day kindergarten programs in other school districts. Full-day promotes the educational and personal development of children. I believe the preparations should begin in 2010-2011 and that a full-day program should be in place by 2011-2012.

ROSE: I have always wanted to see a longer kindergarten program in the Ridgefield schools. Early childhood education is important, but I don’t think it will be possible to think about the increase in cost for a few years. We must first deal with more pressing demands.