Sharon candidate profiles

Judge Manning, Republican

Office being sought: Region One Board of Education

Age: 60

Number of years in town: 16

Profession: President, Judge Manning Horse Transportation, Inc.

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years: Sharon Boad of Education, member from 1997 to 2006, chairman from 2002 to 2006; Region One Board of Education, Sharon representative, member from 2001 to present, chairman from 2005 to present; All Boards Committee, chairman from 2006 to 2011

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same? (Response limited to 300 words.) The regional board is charged with providing the best possible education for students from the six towns. The representatives of these towns have a fierce pride in their children and want to provide them with an excellent education, but on occasion have differences of opinion that make coming to consensus challenging. As a board, we must continue to make decisions that require a diverse set of skills, such as listening, patience and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. This role also demands an understanding of the legal role of local boards within the realm of a regional school district. Careful research on issues and deliberate analysis of information is critical.

 My priority would be to keep the same strong comprehensive curricular and extra-curricular programs that are the benchmarks of Housatonic Valley Regional High School. I have worked with the board to maintain the wide array of courses and activities currently offered in a fiscally responsible manner. Working with our central office and high school administrators, board committees and consultants, our board has been able to achieve significant cost savings in health insurance and achieve economies of scale in purchasing services. Every retirement or staff vacancy in the certified or noncertified groups is viewed as an opportunity to consolidate positions through improved planning and technological efficiencies. The necessity of each position is carefully examined by the board before a hiring decision is made, including a revision of the job descriptions as warranted.

 As we move into the 21st century, we must strengthen our technological capabilities, for students and staff. This will involve a needs assessment of staff, updated infrastructure, the purchase of appropriate hardware and associated training. We have a capable leadership team in place at Housatonic and are poised to move forward fulfilling our mission as a board.

Marilyn Yerks, Democrat

Office being sought: Region One Board of Education

Age: 48

Number of years in town: Seven

Profession: Accountant and accounting professor

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years:  Vice chairman, Sharon Board of Education; chairman, Sharon Center School Playscape Committee; past president, Sharon Center School PTO; secretary, Sharon Democratic Town Committee

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same? (Response limited to 300 words.) Innovative programming can be seen at the high school, most notably at the artgarage, the agricultural education building and through the humanities program. I would like to see this innovation continue with a concentrated effort to bring the science and technology building to completion. The vision of one man and a passionate group of volunteers, along with the generous financial backing of the community, have led to the creation of the sci-tech center which, upon completion, would give the children of our region a state-of-the-art learning environment. The high school needs to continue to offer creative and challenging programs that will prepare the children in Region One for the ever-changing world that they will live in.

If elected, I would work to create a board that is efficient, effective and has members that work cooperatively. I would work to create a sense of partnership, with our community members and town governments. It’s only through this cooperation that we can provide the best educational experience for the children of this region. A quality education requires a community commitment. And I would work to remind everyone that our responsibility, as Region One board members, is to support our mission: “The HVRHS community promotes personal and academic growth, as well as independence of thought and spirit for all its members, within a culture of respect, responsibility and safety.”