Over on the official Newburgh School District Web Site there is a post which claims to "present information on the 4 candidates".
You might imagine that some Newburgh School District official would take such basic steps to insure fairness as to write nearly the same number of words for each candidate and present the candidates in alphabetical order. You might also imagine that some basic fact checking would be done--things like verifying educational claims, or spelling the names of the candidates correctly. But that would just be your imagination, just your imagination...
| Candidate Name | Number of words in bio presented at NECSD Web Site |
| John N. Giudice | 44 |
| Runston T. Lewis | 242 |
| Pamela R. Resch | 145 |
| Nathan E. Vesely | 115 |
Not Impressed with the Candidates and the Info provided
The posting of the candidates on the school district website is just about useless. What does someone's family history or war record have to do with an individual's qualifications and purpose for running for the BOE?
It appears these candidates have little respect for the ability of the taxpaying and voting public to comprehend a more substantial explanation of why each wishes to serve on the BOE. They'll take our money, but are silent about their own intentions. These candidates have been MIA from public venues introducing themselves and outlining their understanding and points of view regarding the educational issues.
Possibly each was afraid to meet the public and answer questions and issues such as the dismal graduation rates and failure rates? What about the question of student discipline and holding parents accountable for the education of their children? How much more money should the taxpayer continue to pour into these programs that claim to be helping students who can not sit still, follow the rules, do their homework, attend school regularly and speak English? How long before the rising special education rates and costs bankrupt this school system? Do we really need a magnet system? What about going back to neighborhood schools?
With 13,000 students there are bound to be problems, but frankly, the problems that the growing city of Newburgh residents bring to the schools is costing us too much in money, effort and patience with very little to show as evidence of improvement. Taking a look at the candidates' bios it appears all but one are from the city of Newburgh. Just what will be their role in addressing these problems found in their neighborhoods?
If the economy continues to stall next year's budget is going to bring about more cuts. Just what should be done to make those cuts rationally, while preserving the core programs?
Addressing these questions would have made for a more intersesting and honest response to "Why I am Running for the BOE?"