Answers - Veronica Wallace - Candidate for Board of Selectmen

Q1: Do you support the construction of a new high school as approved by the Board of Education in 2008? If yes, please describe what you would do in your role on the [B.O.E., B.O.S., B.O.F.] to support the passage of the referendum. If no, please describe what modifications need to be made to the current proposal in order for you to support it.

A1: I support the efforts of the BOE and the work of the Community Task Force in identifying the problems at the High School and their research into the options that exist to address those problems. Our obligation as citizens of this community is to ensure our children have access to a quality education, in safe facilities designed to foster learning, and we need to move forward in a smart cost effective way.

I applaud the leadership role Guilford PACT has played in raising awareness of the unacceptable current conditions at the High School and endorse your mission “to advocate for education by increasing community and political involvement in Guilford.”

It is difficult to say explicitly that I support the construction of a new high school. I support something being done to adequately address the shortcomings of the current building. It does not meet today’s educational standards by a long shot. As a member of the BOS, my responsibility is to put forth a project that has been completely vetted and have a full understanding of the fiscal impacts on the municipal budget. We need to understand the specifics of the project, such as the site plan, what is the cost, what is the state reimbursement going to be, what are the operational costs and what impact will a new facility have on the operating budget of the BOE, will the athletic fields be impacted, will the science wing and gyms be utilized?

Once this specific information is known, I think it is incumbent for the members of the BOS, BOE, and BOF to decide on an approach and to educate the people in Guilford on why that approach is best for the education of our children and is fiscally realistic.

From a personal standpoint, I went to the present school and both of my daughters have attended the school. Guilford has great teachers, great students and committed parents. Our educational facilities should measure up to that talent level.

Q2: What will you do in your role on the [B.O.E., B.O.S., B.O.F.] to ensure drafting of a town & education budget which meets the needs of the town and schools of Guilford AND is likely to be approved by the voters in a referendum?

A2: As a member of the BOS, it is my role and responsibility to present a budget to the taxpayers of Guilford that adequately addresses the operation of the Town and ensures the safety and well being of its citizens. A lot of due diligence goes into crafting a budget. By the time it is presented to the public, there have been multiple meetings with department heads, Board of Selectmen workshops, public hearings etc. It is through this process that we assemble the facts, determine the priorities of our departments and Guilford residents and put forth a budget that we believe contributes to the quality of life that we enjoy and does so in a fiscally prudent way.

As a member of the BOS I have no input in the Board of Education budget. This is dictated by State of Connecticut statute. The BOE budget is for the delivery of the educational system for the children of Guilford.

Q3: As things currently stand, the town and education budgets are growing at a rate which exceeds the growth of the grand list. In your role on the [B.O.E., B.O.S., B.O.F.], what steps will you take to address this growing gap between budget expenditures and tax revenues?

A3: In my role as a member of the BOS I pledge to continue to do whatever I can to support the businesses currently located in Guilford. I will also continue to work with the Economic Development Specialist and the Economic Development Commission to market Guilford to businesses. Stimulating our local economy with development that contributes positively to our quality of life, has a positive fiscal impact on our infrastructure and services, protects our natural resources and is sensitive to neighboring residential areas will continue to be a high priority. We need this to have quality education, healthy schools, paved roads, the best trained men and women in our police and fire departments, playing fields for our children, programs for our seniors and other basic services. These are difficult times, priorities will have to be made, but the economy will rebound and I pledge to present a budget that protects our citizens and addresses the long term goals of our community.

Respectfully Submitted,
Veronica C. Wallace
Candidate for the Board of Selectmen