Three Questions for Board of Education Candidates

Elections for the Madison Board of Education are scheduled for April 27. In the first of a series, Madison Patch asked Board candidates why they are best-qualified to serve, and where they stand on a number of issues. Patch will feature the responses of a different candidate throughout the week. Today's candidate is Karin Szotak.

Patch: What makes you best qualified to be on the Board of Education?

Szotak: I have many years of experience in this district as a parent and a PTO board member.  I have worked closely with parents, teachers and administrators to bring about new programs and improve existing programs for all of our students.  I have a MA in Economics and ten years' experience working in a regulated industry which uses Price Cap regulation.  The current economic climate and the state regulations (including but not limited to the 2% revenue cap), along with the lack of state aid and increased state mandates have crippled our district’s ability to provide the superior education we have come to expect for our children.  I would like the opportunity as a board member to engage the public in two-way communication which will generate innovative ideas for sources of new revenue and cost cutting opportunities.  The Board needs to act now in order to ensure education remains a priority in Madison!

Patch: What is the most urgent issue facing Madison schools today?

Szotak: The most urgent issue facing Madison schools today is the increasing costs associated with education, along with the lack of state funding for our schools.  Whether the costs are due to increases in utility bills, or rising health care expenses, or cost associated with fulfilling state mandated requirements (including special education expenses), we need to find a way to meet the needs of all of our students without overburdening the taxpayer.  In order to meet this challenge, the BOE will require support from the parents, PTOs, Madison Education Foundation and the entire community to ensure that we continue to offer our students the best education possible.

Patch: What strategy would you employ for maintaining programs and staff amid shrinking state education aid to suburban districts?

Szotak: In order to maintain programs and staff, we need to look to ways to cut costs and increase revenues. We need to discover new and innovative ways to save money on the ever-increasing expenses and also create opportunities for the students through outside funding.  I applaud Nicole Sherrin, the staff and its PTO for their innovative idea of “MJS Academy” — an after-school weekly activity, taught by the teachers, which charges a minimal fee to participants. This program will partially fund the 8th grade electives for next year.   Innovative programs such as these can help to close some of the budget gaps that exist today. 

I have been researching what other districts have done to increase revenues.  I was impressed with some of the methods used by others which resulted in a sustained increase of funds.  For example, an increase in facility rental fees and the development of an advertising policy to advertise at the high school were suggestions that I think Madison should consider.  Grants were another idea.  However, we need to come up with ways to increase revenue that will be sustained over time.  Otherwise, we will once again be placed in a position where the money is available for positions for only a year, and then the position is in jeopardy the following year.  While it is better to fund a position for a year, than not at all; we need to plan for the long-term and look toward recurring revenues as a priority.