BERNE — The race is on for two open seats on the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school board.  Both seats are for three-year terms.  At BKW, school board members rotate into the roles of president and vice-president.  The posts are unpaid. 

The candidates — Edward Ackroyd, a semi-retired veteran and former BKW board member from Knox; Sean O’Connor, a financial advisor who is making his first run and lives in East Berne; and Maureen Sikule, the board’s president who has long worked for the Thruway Authority and lives in Westerlo — were asked this week where they stand on a variety of issues. 

On May 20, voters will go to the polls, where they will also decide on a $20.3 million budget for the 2008-09 school year. 

The Enterprise asked each candidate the following questions:

— Length of terms for board members: The BKW school board last month revisited the length of terms for board members; three years and five years.  Candidates were asked what they feel is the appropriate length of a term;

— Budget committee: This year, during the budget process, three members of the community worked with the school’s administration and members of the school board to design BKW’s 2008-09 spending plan.  Candidates were asked whether they feel the committee was effective.  They were also asked if BKW should continue to have a budget committee in the future and whether they would make any changes, either in the number of members or the process by which the committee gives input to the board;

— Student recognition: BKW will be recognizing its valedictorian and salutatorian this year and next year and then will no longer recognize them.  Candidates were asked if they felt this change is good for the school;

— Programs: Candidates were asked whether any new programs should be added or if any should be cut;

— Taxes: During the budget process this year, board members cited unfunded mandates, costs handed down by the state to the local level, driving up taxes.  Candidates were asked whether there is anything BKW can do to curb unfunded mandates or to lower taxes.  They were also asked if the district needs tax relief; and

— Special-needs students: There are many special-education students at BKW.  Candidates were asked how they feel the school should react to the large number of students and the costs associated with these students.