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Batavia school board candidates answer questions on issues and experience

By Daniel Crofts

(Pictured from left, Wayne Guenther, Al McGinnis, Amy Barone.)

It's that time of year again -- time to vote for the Batavia City School District budget and fill seats on its board of education.

Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17.

Voting locations are: Batavia Middle School (for residents of City Ward 1, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 2, District 1, 2 or 3); Jackson School (for residents of City Ward 3, District 1 or 2; City Ward 4, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 5, District 1); and Robert Morris (for residents of Ward 5, District 2 or 3, or Ward 6, District 1 or 2).

There are three candidates. One is an incumbent, two are newcomers.

Wayne Guenther, the incumbent, is now approaching the end of his second term. He is a retired teacher with years of experience in education.

Amy Barone, one of the newcomers, is a loan servicing manager at Five Star Bank and a lifelong resident of Batavia. She is also the mother of two students in the district.

Al McGinnis, the other newcomer, is a retired manager for Brown & Root Services, an international oil and construction firm. Prior to that, he was a soldier. He has lived overseas, as required by both jobs, but with an official residence here in Batavia for the past 30 years. Places he has lived and worked include the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He is married, and has a son who graduated from Batavia High School.

The candidates took time to answer some questions about the budget, their motivations for running, and other issues.

Wayne Guenther

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are reelected?

Well, I think as a group we (the school board) do fine. We work out problems that come our way and we try to come to some sort of resolution. The problem is that a lot of things are out of our hands, as far as what the state requires. The local board really has very little say with regard to expenditures. I would like it if we could broaden that a little so that there is more control locally. I would also like to see the mandate relief (the state) promised, rather than having them just tell us what we can and can't do.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

I taught fifth grade in Oakfield for 33 years and have dealt with education my whole life.

What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?

I think some kind of a moratorium is necessary. In what form, I'm not sure -- we have to talk about that. We need to take a long look at who this would affect. For example, do we want to drop these activities for juniors and seniors who have spent the past few years fundraising (for senior trips)? We'll try to come up with some parameters everybody can live with. But I do think that some kind of moratorium is necessary, because a lot of parents have complained that there are too many fundraisers. Most of the parents of kids who are involved in these trips do the major portion of the fundraising and pay out of their own pockets. We want to see what we can do to help out.

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

None of us are real happy with it, but we've checked all of our expenses, and a lot of them (are expenses) we're locked into. That can't be changed. We looked into where we could cut without hurting anyone. None of us are happy with a tax increase, but until we get revenues other than local, we'll have to live with it.

A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough, and teachers in other Genesee County districts are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?

That's a contract item, and right now it's all settled until next year. The board is looking for an increase in pay by the teachers (into their own benefits), but that will have to be negotiated. Also, I'm really not 100-percent sure that many school districts have teachers who pay much more than Batavia teachers at present.

What will happen if the budget gets voted down?

We'll have to present a second budget to the public, or pass a contingency budget. That would mean the district couldn't buy any new equipment (including buildings and grounds equipment and some instructional technology) and there would no longer be public use of school resources without pay. Our budget is pretty much bare bones as it is though. We're not talking about much money, and actually it's less than what the contingency budget would be because the number fell below what that would allow. So if the budget is defeated, that won't change a whole lot.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I truly believe that each citizen of a given area should give back to (his or her) municipality in some form or other. I do it through education, because it's what I know.

Do you have any closing comments?

I just hope there's a good turnout. Over the past few years, a very small percentage of people who were eligible to vote did so.

 

Amy Barone

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?

Well, I'm very new to this whole thing. I'd like to just get in there, learn what the board can do and help improve any deficiencies that exist, if there are any.

One thing I would like to see is an improved public perception of the school board. I think a lot of people are looking at the school board and saying that they're not doing their job. But I don't think they understand everything that goes with being on the board. This involves trying to come up with a budget that's good for the kids while also satisfying the taxpayers, faculty and staff, etc. They're really doing the best they can for all parties involved.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

I'm a lifelong resident of Batavia with two children in the Batavia schools. I served on the City of Batavia Youth Board from 2008 through 2010 -- I stepped down when my sister was appointed director, so there wouldn't be any conflict -- and I currently serve on the Genesee County Youth Board.

In addition, I am actively involved with the Five Star for Kids program, which is a partnership between Five Star Bank and the YMCA that allows us to work with fifth-graders in the district. This is a program that helps prepare them for the middle school and teaches them about how to treat others and be responsible members of their schools and community. Finally, I've worked with the United Way Day of Caring on behalf of Five Star Bank for the past four years.

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

It's been a tough budget year, from what I've heard. I don't know if the community really, truly understands the budget process. Not that I fully understand it myself yet, but I believe the board did the best they could with what they had to work with.

The community should understand that if the budget is voted down and we end up with the contingency budget, things are not going to be any better. We're not going to be able to bring back anything we've already cut.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I have two children and several nieces and nephews in the district, and as a member of the community I have a vested interest in its success. I feel that my financial background can benefit the board, the school district and the community.

 

Alfred McGinnis

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?

Well, first of all, you don't make changes until you've actually sat on the board and found out what's going on. If I'm elected, that's what I'll do.

I will say this: One item I dislike is their cell phone tax. In opening up my cell phone bill a short time ago, I reviewed it for nothing better than to see why my bill was 20 percent higher than the offered charge. In truth, it wasn't very much of a pittance, and Albany allows cities to affix a cell phone tax on city residents. Fair enough. I could easily move, (but) I choose not to do so. What bothers me is that our school board chose to remain silent on this issue, rather than explain to the public that they could and would (impose the tax) and, more importantly, where the windfall is going. It was a failure on the board's part not to sit down with Batavia residents beforehand. When you're in that position, you have to be up front with people on what you do. Not being up front questions your value and integrity. We are the people they work for, not the other way around.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

My life has been constant, non-stop budgets. I worked for Brown & Root Services for over 20 years as a manager, (after spending years as a professional soldier). In the business world, we refer to a budget as a W.I.P -- a Work In Progress. They have to be modified all the time -- sometimes they need to be expanded, sometimes they need to be constrained. Schools are no different. A school district is like a business. The superintendent is your CEO or manager, and the school board is your Board of Directors.

The budget involves a detailed study, and unfortunately sometimes personal issues. When you eliminate a position, you're not just impacting one person. You're impacting a whole host of people you don't see. Every employee has a family he/she won't be able to support because he/she no longer has a job. Initially, you look at it as a cold number, but then you have to look deeper. You have to look at how it affects your bottom line long-term. For example, if you decide to cut a position, you've taken care of a fiscal issue -- but then who's going to do the job? You can't cut a teacher's position and then say, "So now I'm going to cut 15 students, too."

Tangibles (meaning returns on investments) are the same in schools as they are in business. In schools, the return on our investment is how well educated our children are and how fortified they are for higher education and for life. If they do well, they'll make our country stronger. That said, you still have to be straightforward and honest. If I tell the shareholders -- which are the taxpayers -- that I'm raising their taxes, I have to be able to tell them why. And I have to be able to tell them that I raised their taxes -- I can't just blame it on the board; there's no such thing. Even if you didn't vote for a tax increase, if you're on the board you had better be able to explain yourself. As a manager at Brown & Root Services, I couldn't just hide behind statements like, "Well, the company told me this." If you're going to do that, you shouldn't be in that position. You either own up to your responsibilities or get out.

What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?

In the business world, your product has to be the best on the market. (In the schools), our product is our children. That said, I view overnight trips as educational experiences. It broadens the students' horizons, lets them see something they haven't seen before, talk to kids outside of their school, live with the difficulties of being on a bus...these help prepare them for real life.

I understand the financial concerns. There are taxpayers on fixed incomes, and believe me, I understand that. But we can't afford to have a product out of our "factory" (school district) be inferior to other districts.

I think we can find the money.  We may have to go to unconventional sources, just like in business, but we can't be narrow-minded about this. Narrow-mindedness has destroyed businesses and can hamper our children's education.

In my experience, it is imperative that we broaden these kids' horizons. They should see that there are different communities and cultures out there that are not necessarily better or worse than their own. We need to enrich the students so that they can put their prejudices aside and see the world as a great place to live. As a result, they will be able to enrich others when they go out into the world. Will we see a monetary gain here? Not right away, but five years from now...

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

I went to a school board meeting in June, and I thought both the board and (Superintendent) Margaret Puzio did an excellent job of explaining the budget and how it had mostly to do with state mandates. Did I agree with everything they said? Well -- I can't make any negative comment until I've been there. As in business, you've got to go through the books. I will not fire a shot at the board of education until I've had a chance to sit there and see what they do. I have no right to do that until I've see how they operate; that's just unprofessional. When I'm in that position, then I'll have valid reasons to make suggestions.

A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough and teachers in other districts in Genesee County are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?

That's a valid concern, but I've got to look at the whole picture. The worst thing you can do is take a snapshot and then make decisions based on that. I have to be able to look at the past history and the evidence. Talk is cheap -- cold hard facts are what drive a budget. You can say (hypothetically) that Oakfield teachers pay more into their benefits than Batavia teachers, but show me. It may be true, but I have to present facts. Emotions have no place in budgets. All they do is destroy your bottom line, which is: Are you getting the best product for the money you're spending? (If you let your emotions impact the budget), you'll regret it.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I've been retired for some time, but I liked being a manager and working on budgets. Even if I had strong dislikes while I was doing (a budget), there was the ultimate satisfaction that came with it.

As citizens, we each have not only the right but the obligation to contribute what we can to our community. One would have to ask oneself why at age 61, and retired, I would want to run for a school board seat that pays nothing, takes up my time and otherwise disrupts my retirement. I'll actually be spending more money on this than I'll ever see a return on (financially), but my return will be satisfaction. If one of our young grows up to be a successful professor or doctor, then I'll have a return on my investment.

When I say "our young," I mean all of our young. Even if we don't have children in school -- my son is all finished with his schooling -- they are all our children, and we have a moral obligation to make sure they get the best education possible.

I'm well retired and certainly neither need the money nor wish to waste my time on vendettas. My only goals are a better run board and a school budget that I feel can be better managed and at a lower cost to the Batavia stockholders (aka taxpayers).

Do you have any closing comments?

Well, this is disconcerting to me: There are two candidates running together -- one of them is on the board already, the other one is trying to get on the board -- and I found out that both of them are members of the Democratic Party, and that the Democratic Party wants them to do this. This smacks of Third World politics. It's the kind of thing I would see in the Pacific, in Africa and in the Middle East, and we don't need to see it in Batavia.

When you see something like this, it means there's a hidden agenda. People are supposed to run on their own merits so that the populace can have a choice. You don't run as a gang. This looks like a way for the Democratic Party to influence the outcome of the election. The school board should be nonpartisan. This makes it a political toy, and that's wrong -- purely wrong. Taxpayer money should not be any party's political tool.

What will happen is that taxpayers won't get a return on their investment because partisan politics will interfere. The way information is presented to the public will be based on a single party's standpoint, and we won't get an honest, balanced budget.

McGinnis claims to have received this information from a source from within the Democratic Party. Guenther and Barone were both given a chance to respond.

Here are their replies:

Wayne Guenther

I'm not a member of any political party -- I'm registered as unaffilliated. I met Amy the night of the budget hearing, and I know her sister and her dad but that's it. And I agree -- political parties should not have anything to do with the school board. I'm really surprised to hear this kind of stuff (referring the accusation).

Amy Barone

The only response I have to that is that this is not a political race -- it's a race for the kids. I don't feel that party lines are relevant. I'm running for my kids and for the district, not for any political party. That said, I may have supporters in the Democratic Party, but I also have supporters in the Republican Party.

Mark Potwora

I have to agree with Mr.McGinnis on the signs..I just noticed them today..Looks like they will both be voting alike on any school board issues..Just for that fact alone we need to vote Mr.McGinnis in..Must be Mr.Guenther and Ms. Barone views will be the same on school issues..No indepenent thinking with those two.Looks like they are going in as a team.They should of asked not to appear on the same sign....We need someone new who can think for them selfs and not what the Democratic party tells them to do..I am surprised that no one else doesn't see this as Mr.McGinnis does..I do..I am willing to give Ms.Barone a chance...Mr.Guenther had his chance,time for new face on the board..

May 16, 2011, 3:44pm Permalink
Bea McManis

One candidate is unaffiliated, the other is a Democrat. I've been to every meeting and NOT ONCE have I heard that the party was funding this race.
What possible agenda could the party have in this race?
I like Mr. McGinnis' I think he makes a great deal of sense. The shot across the bow to his opponents was uncalled for. Could it be that he is taking a page out of the Corwin method of campaigning?
If this was a political scheme, why didn't the other two candidates stoop to that level to disparage Mr. McGinnis?
Mr. McGinnis appears to favor enriching the children outside of the school room. School trips, public libraries and museums would be in the realm. Doesn't that fly in the face of the often heard comment that the only thing we need to teach (and pay for) in our schools is the basics? It doesn't sound like he is willing to forgo the life experiences all children deserve.

May 16, 2011, 4:14pm Permalink
John Roach

Both Barone and Guenther have said they have no idea who paid for the signs. That would seem to show that somebody or group is scared that McGinnis will win.

That also tells me McGinnis should get our vote.

May 16, 2011, 5:46pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Campaign funding is public information. I don't think you can legally spend money for someone else's campaign without disclosing it. I also know who paid for those signs has to be printed right on the sign itself. You can't just go put out signs without a disclosure and be following election laws.

May 16, 2011, 7:51pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

School board elections are completely non-partisan. There is no party affiliation on the ballot and all candidates appear on the same line.

I'm voting for Al McGinnis, because I know him, I trust him, and I want him on the school board when my daughter enters kindergarten in just about two years. Al and I have probably never voted for the same candidate for office and we have opposing viewpoints on just about everything, but I know this man will be a good steward of the Batavia City School District and he has my complete and unwavering support.

May 16, 2011, 10:14pm Permalink
John Roach

Charlie, you got me curious, so I took at the signs. They do not tell who paid or sponsored them. Odds are very good at least one reader here has one on their property. Maybe one of them would tell us who put them out?

May 17, 2011, 9:56am Permalink
Daniel Jones

I've worked on campaigns since 2007, holding positions from campaign intern (copies and coffee) all the way up to field coordinator. I also spent about a year filling out a term as City Democratic Vice-Chairman. I have been active in politics since 2003. In all of those years I have never, ever, EVER heard of a candidate saying that he had no control of whether or not their name went up on a sign from a non-outside campaign group. Howard will kill me, but he said this in yesterdays article in the Daily News.

That disturbs me greatly. I was voting for McGinnis before, but now I'm voting for Al McGinnis and writing in John Roach, giving us the race we should have had.

May 17, 2011, 9:56am Permalink
Daniel Jones

Charlie - I have been told that you can go to the School Clerk's office and get a copy of the disclosure report. I'm not sure when it's filed since School Board campaigns have such a short window of campaigning.

May 17, 2011, 9:59am Permalink
Mark Potwora

Dan I agree with all you said..I saw the sign on a school board members lawn which got my attention..And it does seems odd that Mr.Guenther or Ms.Barone don't know who put up any of the signs..Vote for Al and write in John....Also Mr.Guenther's statement of "So if the budget is defeated, that won't change a whole lot."Is like saying don't bother voting on this budget its going to cost the same either way..They would be happier if we all stayed home and didn't vote..Remember the VanDetta vote..They probably wished we all stayed home that day..

May 17, 2011, 11:49am Permalink
Thomas Mooney

The signs were ordered by Pat Burk and paid for by the Democrates . . Very political and its not right . Vote no on the budget . As mrs. Puzio noted if the budget gets voted down and we go to a contingency budget that would eliminate free use of school facilities by outside groups (EX:Batavia Players ). Who has a direct link to Batavia Players ,Pat Burk does. The abuse must stop and we must send a message to the School Board . By the way why does the high school need security and not the other schools ?

May 17, 2011, 2:05pm Permalink
Thomas Mooney

Why do all the batavia administrators have the new Iphone 4. Is this neccasary to do the job they were hired for . Trim the pork and then present us with a budget . Teachers trump security gaurds that hang out in science classes . If we truly need security , then put it in all schools not just the high School where the secuity gaurd can recruit athletes for the sports he coaches.

May 17, 2011, 2:11pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Thomas, the Democratic party did no such thing and if I find out any member of the City of Batavia Democratic Committee used any influence, party money, or anything like it, I'll personally move to have them thrown off.

The Democratic Committee does not, repeat, DOES NOT involve itself in non-partisan elections. Individual members of the committee can do whatever they like when it comes to things like school board races, but they are absolutely forbidden from using the party name or party funds.

May 17, 2011, 2:14pm Permalink
John Roach

I think if you need security, you can hire retired peace/police officers. You can pay them per day and do not have to pay benefits since they are retired.

I can understand Burk trying to beat McGinnis, because Al is independent.

May 17, 2011, 2:21pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

Thomas - As a member of the Democratic committee and a very strong supporter of Al McGinnis, I can assure you that I, having been at the last few party committee meetings, have had no knowledge of any City Democratic committee money being used for school board races. I would strongly be against such an expenditure by the committee.

May 17, 2011, 2:39pm Permalink
Thomas Mooney

Chris , I would look into it . As a party you may not have but Pat uses his power to influence other by being the head the party and thowing it in your face . The tactic was used by him when he ran last year on the same sign with Mountain . Al is right not be running as a group on the same sign . Those signs were printed and ordered by someone , my sources point to Pat . Pat will be the down fall of your local party unless someone controls him .Chris , why would you associate yourself with someone like him .

May 17, 2011, 3:00pm Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Mr. Burk probably volunteers more of his time for this community in one week than most of us do in a year. That's why I associate myself with someone like him.

May 17, 2011, 3:06pm Permalink
John Roach

Thomas, running as a team is common. The uncommon thing this time is neither of the two candidates authorized this and told the Daily News they no nothing about it. In my opinion, this was done by somebody scared of reform.

May 17, 2011, 3:08pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Thomas, I told you, show me proof that someone used party money or the party name to campaign for a candidate in a non-partisan election and I'll serve them up to you myself. That's a promise.

I don't think that's the case here. Personally, I'm supporting Al McGinnis. neither of the other candidates or Pat Burk approached me looking for support.

May 17, 2011, 3:29pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

John, are you saying there isn’t a disclosure on the signs? I don’t think you can go to the clerk’s office; you need to go to this site to search for Contributions.
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/contribandexpend.html

I doubt you will see that information listed till after the election as well.

I find it real strange that the people running don’t know who paid for their signs or put them up.

May 17, 2011, 3:44pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Dan, I found the rules here about disclosure.

http://www.nyssba.org/index.php?category=leadership_dev&ref=RunningforB…

State law requires all candidates for election to a board of education to file a sworn statement with the district clerk disclosing their campaign expenses. If expenditures made by the candidate or by others on the candidate’s behalf exceed $500, a statement also should be filed with the commissioner of education. Expenditures of not more than $25 may be made without the candidate’s permission if the donor or donors file a sworn statement with the clerk and the commissioner stating that the candidate did not approve the expenditure.

Details concerning these requirements may be obtained from your district clerk or from the Bureau of Finance, Management and Information Services (SMIS), New York State Education Department, Albany, NY 12234.

May 17, 2011, 4:33pm Permalink
John Roach

The budget was voted down , but the establishment candidates won, with Barone being the biggest vote getter.

Al McGinnis has said he will run again next year (maybe somebody will buy him some signs!).

May 17, 2011, 9:47pm Permalink
John Roach

Just an update. Remember the school board election signs? Nobody seemed to know where they came from or who paid for them.

The two winning candidates, Barone and Guenthere, stated they had no idea where the signs came from. Turns out they paid most of the cost for them. The BOE has released the expenditures for the election.

Mr. McGinnis, who lost, spent no money. Probably will not make that mistake when he runs again next year.

Amy Barone and Wayne Guenther (the winners) both gave $267.60 (total: $535.20)
Pat Burk gave $87.00
Gail Stevens gave $90.00
Another person gave $45.00
Total $757.20

The signs cost them $390.00
Other expenses came to 367.20
Total was $757.20

So after saying they did not know where the signs came from, turns out they paid for them.

Jul 26, 2011, 12:30pm Permalink

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