GUILDERLAND — "I’m a proponent of good governance," said , a certified public accountant, making his first run for school board.

Fraher, who grew up in town, now has three children in the Guilderland schools — two at Farnsworth Middle School and one at Guilderland Elementary School.

Fraher said he has been involved with boards both as a board member and on the management side, and he was critical of information being withheld from school-board members who had requested it.
"I believe a board of directors should be allowed to review anything," said Fraher, adding there might be stipulations that the review would be in a private setting or that board members not be allowed to have copies.
"I have a concern when management doesn’t allow a board to look at information," he said. "Then who really has the governing role, who really has the authority to make changes"" he asked.
On the boards he has served, Fraher said, "I have a pretty free voice and express what I want and I’m not criticized or told that’s not my issue."
If he is elected to the school board, Fraher said, "My first allegiance is to the students and, secondarily, to the teachers."
He went on, "We also have an obligation to the taxpayer...We should give a lot of attention to making sure we’re getting the best for our dollars."
About the budget, Fraher said, "I support the fact there’s a small increase in the tax levy but the budget did go up 4 percent...$82 million is a lot of money."
He went on, "I’m concerned the board didn’t take a more global approach to re-allocate money to the classroom."
Fraher also said, "I go by the 50-50 rule...Put half [of additional money] into the classroom and give half back to the taxpayers."
Of the superintendent’s role, Fraher said, "The superintendent is a paid employee. He or she is part of management. A superintendent is accountable for implementing procedures and programs, all subject to review" by the board.
He also said, "The board of directors must be independent of management. If not, who then would be accountable""
Fraher went on, "The superintendent needs to be responsive to the board’s ideas and needs to understand his or her role....In all the boards I sit on, time is allotted to explain who has what responsibility. Time should be allotted for training and re-training."
Asked about his views on the teachers’ contract, Fraher said, "I would have to study that matter further."
About the reading curriculum, Fraher said, "I’m aware there may be a larger population [of those with problems] than the parents who came forward."
He went on, "A student’s ability to read impacts all subjects. We may have a problem. We ought to do a couple of things."

He listed: Understand the extent to which problems exist; identify what has worked and what has not; and make plans for change, if needed.
"We should have measurable data to make that determination," said Fraher.
He noted there was "some negative reaction" to several parents’ speaking out and to some board members’ reactions.
"Anyone has the capacity to come to the board and voice issues; anyone should be heard," said Fraher.
"I heard there was some uneasiness with it," said Fraher. "We should not ignore the issue; we should give it full attention."
On full-day kindergarten, Fraher said, "I’m not sure the Guilderland School District has the space to do that but I’ve talked to a number of parents with small children who both work" and would welcome a full-day program.
"I would want to go in a direction the majority of family members would support," he said.
Fraher said he wasn’t prepared to give a "solid answer" on the length of the school day. "It needs more review," he said.
He did comment, "If the length of the school day would allow teachers to do more, perhaps it is time to look at extending the school day."