HUHS candidates answer questions during the forum

The six Hartford Union High School Board (HUHS) nominees spoke at a community forum on Feb. 8.
Craig Westfall, Heather Barrie, Jonathan Lobert, Tina Pridemore and Don Pridemore are running for two seats in the board elections. A primary will be held on February 18 while general elections will be held on April 5. HUHS students, who also submitted questions to the candidates, moderated the forum.
Budget priorities: Applicants were asked to describe their budget priorities.
Barrie said: “A school only has a limited amount of money to spend. Budgeting is one of the most challenging responsibilities of a school board member, requiring the ability to prioritize student, staff, and community needs. To prioritize spending, you must first understand the budget before you can prioritize for the greater good.
Jackett said he was raised by his parents to be financially responsible.
“That’s what everyone should be doing, including the school district,” Jackett said. He said the district “has been pretty responsible with its spending, and that’s what I want to continue to do. Right now is a very bad time to raise taxes with the inflation Hartford is experiencing right now. My budget priorities would be fiscal responsibility and saving money.
Lobert said: “Budget priorities should always be set and based on the fact that they increase your investments. The investment in this case is our children, our staff and our schools. We need to ensure that we provide a safe, secure and engaging environment for our students and staff. »
Tina Pridemore said her budget priorities would be to better (work with) effective educators “so that our children, our students have the academic success they need to pursue their next career in life.”
Don Pridemore said his top budget priority would be facility maintenance.
“It is very important that this building be maintained, maintained,” he said. Pridemore added that the HUHS building “is in pretty good shape.
He added that he was concerned about the money set aside for raises, athletics and technology.
“You have to be very tech-savvy. Also, the effect it has on software and computer upgrades and things like that,” he said.
Westfall said: “A school must operate within its means. We need to control costs without sacrificing the expansion of our offerings for both students and staff. We need to stay on the cutting edge of technology,” Westfall said.
Westfall noted that the board voted to buy the Schoology system in January 2020, before the COVID pandemic. He said it was “money well spent” while the district also funded two phases of school facility improvements as part of its budget.
Concerns: Candidates were asked if there was anything that worried them and prompted them to run for the school board.
Lobert cited “negativity in the world.”
“As a parent and citizen, this concerns me greatly. I am not interested in political motivations or personal aspirations. I’m interested in building bridges and looking where all of our children have a chance to achieve their dreams,” Lobert said. “We rise when we help each other, that’s what motivated me to present myself (to the school board).”
Tina Pridemore said she was motivated to run for the board because of the state’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) district bulletin.
“It’s something that needed to be changed,” she said of the recent newsletter. “I just think if we work together we can change that dramatically and be one of the best neighborhoods instead of one of the worst neighborhoods in this area.”
She added that parents must be allowed to choose on health issues such as wearing masks, not advice or administration.
Don Pridemore said he was concerned about the district’s academic performance because neighboring districts scored higher than HUHS on the DPI report card.
Westfall said “my concern is to continue to make changes to our high school that will make Hartford a destination high school.” Westfall noted that the Phase 1 and 2 renovations included upgrades to all 10 science labs and new learning spaces to move away from the “grid” classroom configuration.
Barrie said: “It breaks my heart” to see children who don’t like going to school.
“I want students to be inspired to learn and if I can make a difference in helping students be inspired to learn by serving on this school board where I can make a difference, I’m ready to get involved,” said Barry.
Jackett said academics and the student experience are the main reason he seeks to join the council.
“My perspective as a student, I really think, can be a better positive change for the academics at this school,” Jackett said. He added, “I want to represent the taxpayers, the students, the parents, every single person in this district.”
Outdoor facilities: Voters will go to the polls on April 5 to decide on a $12 million referendum that would improve HUHS sports facilities, including converting tennis court renovations, replacing the track and moving football from Gib Mahr Field to an improved track and football pitch. next to the school, with Gib Mahr Field being converted into a football facility (both football and soccer fields would have artificial turf). Applicants were asked how they would seek to use the facilities for the benefit of the community as well as the students.
“That’s assuming if he’s adopted,” Jackett said. If approved, Jackett said the new facilities would give sports clubs a better opportunity to do more.
Lobert addressed the referendum saying, “I support it, as an ordinary taxpayer, I support it.” He said: “The new facilities fair is going to show a little more pride in our community, more pride in our school. I think the option of opening it up to the community for walks or using tennis courts or a track or a football game I think is a fantastic way to show pride in our area and to use it too.
Tina Pridemore said that if the referendum is approved, groups other than school entities will use them.
Don Pridemore said that “most people I talk to, taxpayers in particular, are not in favor of spending $12 million on a referendum when academics need more attention. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. He said the tennis courts would be beneficial to the community if the referendum was approved
Westfall said the new facilities would enable events such as youth football tournaments, track and field competitions, and baseball and softball tournaments.
“Everything we do affects the community. It will benefit local businesses, because you’re going to bring people from out of town to Hartford and what are they doing – they’re going to dinner, they’re going to go to a restaurant, they’re going to get something from the grocery store.
Barrie said, “I think more than ever, we need community.” She said that includes hosting music events and other activities, while the new facilities (if voters approve the referendum) could be used for adult leagues or to hold tournaments.
The full forum video can be viewed on the HUHS Youtube channel.
– Compiled by Thomas J. McKillen, Editor-in-Chief