WILLIAMSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD

Candidates engage in lively debateBy Sandra Tan

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Published:
May 6, 2011


Four of five candidates for the Williamsville School Board turned what is typically a quiet candidate forum into a lively debate Thursday night as they traded comments and criticisms of the 2011-12 budget and future budgets to come.

“What happened this year is a shot across the bow of this boat,” said James F. Waack, an Orchard Park teacher and newcomer candidate.

Michael Schmidt, who is vying for his first term on the board, was toughest on the other candidates, launching attacks about board decision- making that occasionally drew gasps from the audience in the district offices board room.

When incumbent Stephen C. Munschauer said he thought the district followed a good budget process this year, Schmidt responded, “It was a good process that you followed this year?”

“Very,” Munschauer answered.

“Taxes were increased. Classes were cut. Educators lost their job,” Schmidt said. “That is not a good process. Committee involvement was not heard. The board leaders did not listen to our community. Many intelligent people came to speak in front of this board, and the board leaders turned a deaf ear to them. This was a failed process this year.”

Schmidt, a risk analyst manager for HSBC, and Patricia M. Losito, a nursing program director for Erie Community College, positioned themselves as challengers with young children in the district who want to see big changes and new leadership during tough fiscal times.

Munschauer, Waack and incumbent Ronald S. Shubert, who was away on business Thursday, are running as a slate, promoting their experience in education as crucial to board stability.

“I agree this election can be seen as a referendum on School Board leadership,” Waack said. “A vote for Munschauer, Shubert and myself is a vote to continue the direction of the board. But let’s be clear where that direction has taken us. It has resulted in the Williamsville School District being the No. 1 school district in Western New York seven consecutive years.”

Both Losito and Schmidt advocated program restorations and were critical of 2011-12 cuts.

Munschauer and Waack said their goal will always be to restore, maintain and build district programs but also said they are faced with a difficult reality because of state cuts. Waack pointed out that he will no longer be teaching gifted and talented students in Orchard Park next year because the program was just cut.

“There’s no more gifted and talented program, and that’s a disservice to children,” he said. “You want that restored? You better believe it. What is the reality of where we are? We’re someplace else, and it’s awful.”