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Answers to questions residents may have on Board
of Education seat term length referendum Feb. 14
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, Fort Plain Central
School District residents will vote on two referendums, including
one that would authorize the district to extend the term length of
Board of Education seats from three years to five.
District leaders feel that five-year-terms
would give board members the continuity and time to understand the
complex issues facing public education. Up until 1996, Board of
Education members sat for five year terms.
“There is quite a lot involved in the
operation of a school district and it takes at least two years for
board members to understand the laws and all of the federal and
state mandates,” said Superintendent Douglas C. Burton.
“These difficult financial times call for
strong leadership, and we want our board members to fully comprehend
all of the information they’re given so they can make the best
decisions for our students.”
Below are some answers to questions residents
may have:
Q. What is the importance of extending
the term length of Board of Education seats?
A. Board of education members need time to become familiar with
changes in state funding, new proposals for teacher and principal
performance reviews, higher expectations for student achievement,
and the new property tax levy. Under the current three-year terms,
members begin to understand these complex issues and then suddenly
face reelection. Longer terms would improve the likelihood that
board members will be well-informed and experienced as they tackle
the fiscal and educational changes that lie ahead.
Q. How did the idea of extending term
lengths come about?
A. The board discussed extending term lengths at its regular October
meeting. Further discussion at the November meeting led to a vote at
the December meeting.
Q. How would the extensions take
effect?
A. Beginning with May 2012 election, voters would elect candidates
to staggered terms of three or four years. By 2015, all candidates
would be elected for five years.
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