Meet Your Miller Place BOE Candidates

Introductory Remarks

Johanna Testa:

• Strongly opposed to unfunded mandates
• Thinks Race to the Top might be stifling creativity and choice
• Concerned about the strict Common Core Standards and APPR (Annual Professional Performance Reviews of Classroom Teachers and Building Principals)
• Wishes to encourage creativity, collaboration, innovation in classroom
• Wishes to encourage community members to be more active with advocacy. Make it easier for community to get their message to State Ed and elected leaders
• Strives for better communication to foster a stronger sense of community

Noelle Dunlop:

• Clearly delineated her two key issues
• #1: Concerned about the drastic reduction of programs and extra-curriculars over the years
     o We are paying higher taxes to give our children fewer choices/opportunities
     o Will look at long list of historical cuts and try to bring back those items that have high impact and low cost
• #2: Strongly opposed to unfunded mandates
     o Test preparation and assessment using many resources (time and money)
     o Will aggressively go after mandate aid
     o Pressure the Board of Regents to scale back testing
• Will work collaboratively with staff, parents, and community to foster positive change

Michael Manspeizer:

• Emphasized his managerial experience as a nine year employee at Cisco
• Currently manages a $25 million budget including contract reviews, revenue vs. spending, etc.
• Described himself as a financial pit bull with one difference – “A pit bull eventually lets go. I do not.”
• Skill sets include project management and spreadsheet analysis
• Asked members to view his web page at https://sites.google.com/site/michaelmanspeizerschoolboard/home

It was then time for members of the community to ask questions. I went first and asked four questions. Each candidate answered the questions in a randomly assigned order.

Question #1: Briefly describe one initiative that you would propose to save the District money. Briefly describe one initiative that you would propose to improve the academic performance of our children.

Johanna Testa:

• As an example of cost-saving and increased academics, Testa proposed instead of cutting an AP class because there are only five students signed up, ask neighboring districts to form an AP course open to several schools to get the enrollment up while also cost-sharing.
• To improve academic performance be less strict about state standards that stifle creativity.

Noelle Dunlop:

• As an example of cost-saving: There are many costs associated with testing such as materials that we could reduce by having fewer tests. She questions if these mandated and unfunded tests are really increasing performance anyway.
• To improve academic performance we need more learning diversity, hands-on projects that are guided DURING school and not just sent home where parents may not have the skills to properly guide our children.

Michael Manspeizer:

• As an example of cost-saving he would do a robust budget review to find 2% savings in the $67 million budget ($1.3 million savings).
• He is committed to that 2% savings.
• Would install solar panels on all buildings to get free energy. Does not know what our energy bill is to run these schools but is confident that solar panels would be a huge savings over time.
• Would use these savings to improve curriculum. Was honest in that he does not know much about the curriculum but would tap those that were experts on how best to allocate the extra funds.

Question #2: What do you think were the strongest and weakest arguments for and against implementing Full Day Kindergarten (FDK)?

Noelle Dunlop:

• Weakest argument was the chart that was presented at previous BOE meeting that attempted to show how half-day K was correlated to 3rd grade ELA success. Miller Place was in the middle of the pack with some FDK above and below. If her kids presented that chart she would tell them to go back and do some more work.
• Strongest argument was that the new Common Core Standards might make it impossible to teach in half-day K.

Michael Manspeizer:

• Strongest argument: Doubts that half-day K can deliver the required Common Core Standards in such a short time.
• Weakest argument: Financial reality is that this will cost about $1 million in the four years after state aid runs out. Probably not sustainable if we do not want cuts down the road.

Johanna Testa:

• Strongest argument: Children need more time than half-day to complete Common Core Standards. Unfair to make them play catch-up in first grade.
• Weakest argument: FDK is an academic improvement. She agrees if there is more hands-on and social skill building. Does not agree if FDK means more dittos.

Question #3: Negotiating with unions is one of the most important tasks you will have as BOE member. There are labor contracts that are either expired (MPTA Chapter of Registered Nurses) or due to expire this summer (Miller Place Secretarial and Clerical Unit, Miller Place Operations’ Unit, and Miller Place Administrators’ Association) that you will be charged to negotiate. At an earlier budget meeting Supt. Higuera estimated the value of those current contracts including benefits was about $5 million as a ballpark figure assuming no raises. What will your priorities be when entering negotiations with these unions?

Michael Manspeizer:

• Not knowing the private conversations and the contractual details has no specific answer.
• Considers unions one leg of the education table.
• Did not think it was fair that during financial crisis people suddenly pointed fingers at unions.
• Faculty are the educational foundation and should be strongly supported. • Negotiations should be fair. Only one slice of the pie so we need to properly share.
• Promises to negotiate in good faith.

Johanna Testa:

• Admits to big learning curve.
• Believes her curiosity and passion would help her to learn negotiation skills.
• Aware that there are auditing firms that review contracts.
• Already two financial experts on the BOE to help her learn.
• Faculty and administrators need to feel supported but not if it means breaking the tax cap.

Noelle Dunlop:

• Without labor negotiation experience this is a hypothetical question for her but she is eager to learn.
• Strength is being a people-person and a good mediator.
• Good listener.
• Teachers are a strong resource along with nurses and other staff.
• Would take a look at all contracts and try to be fair to all.

Question #4: New York State is one of 26 states that is very likely to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These guidelines would require introducing climate science in general into the curriculum starting in middle school, and teaching about human-caused climate change in detail to high school students. The guidelines also take a firm stand that children must learn about evolution as early as middle school.

• How would you respond if a group of parents insisted that an alternative hypothesis be presented to students - one in which the observed modern climate change is not caused by human activities?

• How would you respond if a group of parents insisted that intelligent design or creationism be taught alongside evolution in the classroom? Please respond to each of these scenarios.

(Note: there is no “other side” to evolution nor human-caused climate change. Both are well-established scientific theories and are considered settled science by nearly all experts. I asked this question because the new standards requiring human-caused climate change to be taught in our schools is likely to be controversial with some community members just as evolution was for many years. See: http://ncse.com/climate)

Johanna Testa:

• State mandated so we could not change just because parents wished it so.
• Having said that, believes students should be exposed to all sides of the argument.

Noelle Dunlop:

• Recalled great example of how her high school biology teacher fostered critical thinking about evolution by asking students to explain how a pocket watch found on the beach might not have fallen from the sky (Intelligent Design).
• She welcomes debate and different points of view but could not put non-science into science curriculum just because parents wanted to.

Michael Manspeizer:

• Strong advocate of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
• Strongly believes in separation of church and state.
• Accepts human-caused climate change.
• Parents should be advocating for more science.

There were also a few questions from the others attending. I do not have the exact questions so I hope I have captured their essence below.

Which programs would you try to bring back?

Noelle Dunlop:

• The Music in the Parks Festival which was a great student motivator with wonderful music and is superb “free publicity” for MPUFSD.
• Also wants to bring back more middle school sports as they feed into the solid high school program.

Michael Manspeizer:

• Increase fundraising efforts so we have the money to bring back programs. Ideas included Alumni Association, mass mailers seeking funds, and developing partnerships with corporations.
• Thinks we should leverage our current stable situation and look to the future to add. Do not upset the calmer waters right now by adding too much too soon.

Johanna Testa:

• Would focus on middle school program cuts because NCRMS programs appear “barren” compared to high school.

What in your personal background makes you qualified to be a BOE member?

Michael Manspeizer:

• Empathy.
• Moved to Miller Place nine years ago specifically for the better school district.
• Wants to keep the new library open past 2 PM.

Johanna Testa:

• Was manager in a sanitation company for years.
• Active member of the PTO.
• Loves Miller Place and wants to stay here and make it even better for her child and grandchildren.

Noelle Dunlop:

• Has B.S. Biology from Yale University and was science mentor in public school systems.
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. • Worked in children’s section of libraries – much diversity.
• Strong empathy – understands the challenges facing both teachers and students.

Should there be a Budget Advisor Committee open to the public?

Johanna Testa:

• Yes, but with limited membership for maximum efficiency.

Noelle Dunlop:

• Yes, but with limited membership for maximum efficiency.
• Everybody should have a voice on the budget.

Michael Manspeizer:

• “Shine some sunlight on this budget” so those in the community who are interested and have good ideas can make it a better budget.
• Those interested will come and they should be included.

How will you improve communication with the community?

Noelle Dunlop:

• Due to the BOE meeting times many parents cannot attend.
• Utilize Face Book to reach more parents.
• Remind community that important decisions are made year-round and not just during budget meetings.

Michael Manspeizer:

• Meetings should be streamed via YouTube live and also archived. Members can watch at their leisure.

Johanna Testa:

• Agrees with Michael about posting video
• Proposes a one hour “meet a BOE member” once per month face-to-face where members can come at a more convenient time. More personal than email exchanges.

Question from student: Are we falling behind kids in other districts especially with writing skills?

Michael Manspeizer:

• STEM is critical. There are high-paying jobs at Cisco still unfilled because students are not prepared in STEM areas.
• Reminds us that education is a long process and must be nurtured at every point along the way.

Johanna Testa:

• Reading and writing is critical and must be improved.
• Related a recent story where college professor showed her essays that were extremely weak, yet they got out of high school with those deficient skills.

Noelle Dunlop:

• Writing is critical, esp. in 4th – 6th grades.
• Does not want projects “sent home” but instead have teachers develop these project skills in class.
• Parents may not have the skills to educate their children so parents end up doing most of the project.

Question from student: Would you always fund the Robotics Club?

Johanna Testa:

• Yes. Too many cuts already – no more.

Noelle Dunlop:

• Yes. No more cuts. Engineering jobs are critical and Robotics helps develop those skills.

Michael Manspeizer:

• Loves technology and Robotics.
• At this time, cannot honestly guarantee any program down the road, including Robotics, if it means cutting some other program.
• If a program was in jeopardy would work hard to fund alternative funding from outside avenues.

Given Race to the Top, are states losing their 14th Amendment rights chasing after this money and having more federal control over what we teach our children?

Noelle Dunlop:

• Still room to tweak curriculum.
• Must give our teachers autonomy over how to teach material (diverse pedagogy).
• Can we do this with Common Core? Not sure.

Michael Manspeizer:

• Does not know enough about Common Core and Race to the Top to give an answer at this time.
• Must face a certain reality and that is there is much money available via Race to the Top and if we want this funding we will need to implement those tests.
• Cannot ignore that money.
• Does not think we are giving up any rights with Common Core and Race to the Top.

Johanna Testa:

• Single most important reason she is running for BOE.
• Does not agree with Common Core and Race to the Top.
• These increased tests are stifling our children.
• Love of learning should never stop.

Candidates then gave a two minute summary which included most of above so I will not repeat. One can also read their candidate statements online here: http://bit.ly/12GySG7

Overall, I was very pleased with these candidates. I think we have a great mix. One is mostly focused on financial issues, one is mostly focused on academic improvement, and one is focused on increasing the clubs, programs, sports, and other extra-curriculars. There is a candidate for everybody. I look forward to future meetings with these fine individuals.