Election 2011: District 159 Board of Education Candidate Joe Spalla

Four candidates are vying for three seats on 's Board of Education. Newcomer  answers six issue-based questions about student achievement, consolidation and the district's budget.

What are your plans for continuing student achievement and raising test scores?

I would hope that we could continue to achieve and raise test scores. I don’t have any specific plans, but I would look to the administration to provide the best way to go about it.

If the state were to allow for consolidation, should District 159 consider it? Why or why not?

It depends on if it makes sense. It shouldn’t just be done for the sake of being done. I have done research on this and I haven’t found anything to say it saves money. It actually ends up costing you money. There are links on my website. If it can be done and save money, I’d like to see the info on how that would happen. I don’t think the proposal to go to a county-wide district was well thought-out.

What will be your first priority if you are elected and the referendum passes?

The administration has pretty much stated what those will be (extracurriculars, library and computer aides, etc). The only one I would not bring back is full-day kindergarten. I’m not sure there is any behavioral and educational benefit.

What will be your first priority if the referendum does not pass?

It really depends on where we are with the teachers contracts. We’ve got to balance the budget no matter what. If we have to, we should make or raise fees for programs or to rent our facilities.

When it comes to budget cuts, what should be off-limits?

Anything that significantly impacts our children. That’s should be our first priority.

What are your ideas for reducing the district’s $2.7 million deficit?

Once again, a lot depends on the teacher’s contracts. That is an area we are going to see how much we can save before we make any other decisions.