VOORHEESVILLE — School board President Joseph Pofit is being challenged in his race for re-election by long-term community member Gary Hubert.

The election comes on the heels of community criticism about the way the board handled informing the public about the alleged misappropriations of $216,000 and pursuing civil suits against previous administrators Anthony Marturano and Alan McCartney.
Hubert said he decided to run in March of this year and, while the board’s handling of the state comptroller’s findings was a factor in his decision to run, it was not the only reason. He said he would be running regardless of whose term is up — he is not running to oust Pofit, he said. "I want to contribute to the district," said Hubert.

Pofit has served on the school board for eight years; a special election put him in office for three years, and now he is completing the last leg of a regular five-year term. The Voorheesville board has seven unpaid members.

Hubert, who has attended school-board meetings over the last five years, has decided to make a run to sit on the other side of the table.

Hubert said he has the background to contribute to the board and has tossed around the idea of running before. This will, however, be his first attempt. He wants to be hands on in the upcoming year’s anticipated curriculum review and development, to ensure students of all abilities are served: special education, average Regents level, and advanced.
Hubert is also campaigning on providing "more effective communication with the public," he said.

Pofit was elected President by the board last July and said he has liked the leadership role.

The other board members have been enjoyable to work with, he said. The current composition of the board is ideal with a wide mix of talents — from business to facilities. Each member contributes and serves in a distinct role. Pofit said he appreciates how the board members work so well together, coming from different vantage points, and then acting cohesively.

Pofit brings from his career business sense and experience in working with a variety of different groups as chairman, Pofit said.
"What I like to do is get the [school] board to come to a consensus"I want everyone to speak, adding and contributing to our discussion," Pofit said. The issues

The Enterprise discussed current issues with the two candidates to construct profiles highlighting their views. The topics included:

— Curriculum: The board has stated that, in the upcoming year, it wants to review the curriculum at all grade levels. The candidates were asked what direction the curriculum should take and what programs they would like to implement. Some board members have expressed a desire for full-day kindergarten as opposed to the current half-day, others support teaching foreign language in elementary school, rather than waiting till middle school.

— Repairs: With the upcoming $3 million to $4 million building project at the elementary school, and another $1 million in repairs at Clayton A. Bouton High School, candidates were asked the best way to implement the process and what role a board member plays .

— Energy: With increasing energy costs, and the district’s new energy-education program implemented in August, the question was asked about how to reduce energy expenses and how to encourage the energy-management program to save more.

— Lunch program: The district hired a new chef manager in February of 2005. Tim Mulligan has transformed the lunch program, offering more choices, fresh food, and healthier options, but at higher cost. The program last year had been running at a loss, and the district has been implementing new initiatives to make a profit. This includes increasing sales to both students and staff and selling healthy snacks, like fruit cups and wraps, to kids after school through vending machines purchased through a milk grant.

The question was asked about what the lunch program should cost and if quality and health is worth extra expense.

— Ancillary fees: In the past year, board members have discussed and, a number of times disagreed, over ancillary fees and services.

During a budget workshop this spring, Superintendent Linda Langevin said the district must review how long it can continue to host BOCES special-education classes in the schools’ buildings. The district gives up space and shares some faculty, but gains revenue and diversity.

This summer, the board discussed what to do about adult education, which was running at a loss.

And, at the most recent board meeting, elected officials weighed the value of Kids Club to the district with rental fees. Kids’ Club is an independent after school day care program at the elementary school.

— Financial controls: One of the hottest election issues this year is financial internal controls. After the state comptroller announced the misappropriation of $216,000, the school district has implemented a number of safety measures, including creating new positions that will report directly to the board; an internal claims auditor, to review warrants, receipts, and checks; and an internal auditor directed by the board on what matters to look into, whether it be employee-certification records or finances. Candidates were asked how they would participate in the checks and balances of the districts finances.

— Communication: The board was criticized for the way it handled informing the public about the misappropriations. Hubert was asked how he would have handled the situation, and Pofit was asked to reflect on his and the board’s actions.