Imagine an election where there are no contested seats and no candidate states a position beforehand? That’s what is happening on Tuesday in the Whitehall school board election, where there are three open seats and only one candidate who has submitted a petition to run. While I submitted a questionnaire to the one announced candidate, he has not returned it as of the date of this post.
I find this disappointing on a number of levels but this appears to be the new normal in regards to the Whitehall school board. While I personally believe our democracy and institutions deserve better, unless people step up and run for the seats in question, the candidates running unopposed can simply take this position. I’ve posted the questions below that I submitted to the declared candidate so you will at least know what I asked.
The election and vote on next year’s budget is Tuesday, May 15th from noon to 9 pm in the large group instructional room at the Whitehall High School.
Questions submitted to candidate (which to date have not been answered).
1.) Could you please tell us about yourself and why you are running for the school board?
2.) Most people look back fondly on some aspects of their high-school education. Could you tell us what your favorite book from high school was? Why was it your favorite book and should it be required reading today?
3.) Recently New York state instituted what is known as the 2% tax cap on local property tax increases. Do you believe this was a good thing and will you work to keep property tax increases low?
4.) The Whitehall school district’s enrollment has declined by almost 15% over the last 8 years as reported by the school district. However, this enrollment decline has not resulted in any property tax savings for the local property tax payers. When do you expect that falling enrollment will translate into lower property taxes for all?
5.) The job market today is a highly competitive one. What should the school district be doing that it is not already doing to see that its graduates have the skills and education necessary for success?