SREE Endorses Alswanger, Leydon and Limone for Board of Education
See handout with summary of Endorsed Candidates backgrounds
This year's Board of Education election represents an extraordinary opportunity for Stamford.
Just one year ago, the voters of Stamford elected three candidates who were willing to listen to parents and experienced educators, challenge practices that did not work, and strive to make sure that Stamford offered the highest quality education to all of its students. This sweep by the SREE-endorsed candidates, Polly Rauh (D), Jerry Pia (R), and Lorraine Olson (R), was a huge accomplishment. They, along with board member Carmine Limone, have been four strong voices on the nine-member board. However, with only four votes, it has not been enough to ensure that the voices of reason were heard and acted upon.
Today, we are one election away from having a majority of individuals on the Board who are truly willing to listen to diverse opinions and act based on fact, reason, and basic common sense.
This year, as with last, Middle School Reform (MSR) has been the most prominent issue of the campaign, and once again SREE members have played a major role in ensuring that the issue is clear:
- SREE conducted a thorough analysis of the results of the first year of MSR.
- SREE member Alan Stockman summarized this analysis in an important op ed, published in the Advocate.
- This analysis confirmed our expectations based on SREE's compilation of important research on grouping from last year.
- SREE has posted its position and recommendations for making changes to allow MSR to succeed.
- And finally, SREE conducted a survey of all seven candidates' views on MSR. Their responses are posted in their entirety here.
Over a dozen SREE members, who have been following this issue for the past 18 months, reviewed the survey responses, as well as the candidates’ records and responses at forums. Based on their detailed review, SREE enthusiastically endorses:
Geoff Alswanger (D) - info, survey
John Leydon (R) - info, survey
Carmine Limone (R) - info, survey
We are confident, from their responses and track records, that these candidates will work hard to ensure that the Stamford Public Schools head in the right direction, to attract people to Stamford rather than drive them away. Geoff Alswanger, John Leydon, and Carmine Limone will listen. They will use fact, information, and common sense to arrive at sound decisions. They will ensure that the bar is being raised for all students. And these candidates will work to ensure the Board of Education and the Superintendent make the changes necessary for Middle School Reform to succeed.
This year, once again, SREE has endorsed a bi-partisan slate of candidates, because the Board of Education is not and should not be a partisan entity. This election is about voting for candidates who will bring pride and excellence back to Stamford's schools.
Honorable Mention: Note that some SREE reviewers also commented positively on the campaigns of Rich Lyons (D) and Mike Bayonne (R), and we feel both would make good BOE members, and we hope that both will seek office again in the future. However, with only three slots available, the clear choice as the top three candidates are Alswanger, Leydon and Limone.
Suggested actions:
- Pass this endorsement to your friends and encourage them to vote for the endorsed candidates
- Contact the campaigns about making a donation and/or putting up a lawn sign (see below for contact info*)
- And most importantly - get out and vote for Geoff Alswanger, John Leydon, and Carmine Limone on election day.
Together we can make 2011 the year that Middle School Reform becomes successful for all our students, and the Stamford Schools start heading down a positive path for all!
*Reaching the Campaigns about donations / lawn signs:
Paid for by SREE, Nicole Zussman, Treasurer
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