Timothy O’Connor Candidate Questionnaire Response
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Education in North Colonie?
I look forward to further advancing the district’s reputation for academic excellence and would like to assure that the North Colonie Central School District affords all of its students a nurturing and supportive educational experience. As a member of the School Board I will not be a rubber stamp when adjudicating the appeals of decisions of administrators. I take seriously my obligation to make unbiased and independent decisions to assure that we do not lose sight of our most important asset – our students.
What would make you a good candidate for the Board of Education?
As a Board of Education member, I will act with my fellow Board of Education members to advance the interests of independent judgment and oversight when asked to consider student appeals and adjudicative matters. At all times, the Board of Education must exercise independent decision making in the important adjudicative processes which they are involved with when reviewing decisions of the Superintendent, Administration, Principals and Teachers. The students in our district are district’s most important asset. The North Colonie Central School District offers incredible value, with a very dedicated and professional Superintendent, Board of Education, Administration and Teaching Staff.
What do you believe is the proper role of public schools?
In this era of fast-paced change, one of the essential roles of public schools is to teach students how to read, write and communicate effectively while also being prepared for an ultimate working world skillset. Many careers which public schools previously trained our students for no longer exist, so we’ve got to adopt.
How do you feel about the current state of education in the North Colonie School District?
The North Colonie School District is a great school district, usually in the top rankings on a year-to-year basis. In the course of my campaign, I’ve been to every school in the district and have met and talked with dozens of educators, students, parents, teachers and administrators. I’d be blessed to be part of the school district’s continued growth.
Do you feel there are trade-offs that are made when we focus on the physical security of our schools? What do you think is the proper balance?
I support a common sense approach to keeping schools in North Colonie secure and don’t feel that an unworkable, centralized security protocol would be in the best interests of our students. The most practical approach to security issues would be the “see something, say something” approach, coupled with safety drills, including teacher and administrative involvement, to prepare for an unfortunate event.
Is North Colonie currently finding that balance?
Recent mixed signals on security issues has seen North Colonie schools consider cancelling or restricting access to dances, music events, award events and holiday events, as teachers and administrators are unsure how to comply. The recent decision to have an armed police officer walking the halls at Shaker High School is a decision which could surely use a more thorough vetting of procedures and protocols. When is a policeman supposed to act as opposed to a teacher, administrator or principal, when faced with a student problem? More work needs to be done. It is important that we don’t destroy our sense of community spirit with kneejerk responses to security concerns.
What do you think is the proper role of technology in the classroom? What do you think about the current use of technology in North Colonie schools?
Technology Big Data are huge issues in the classroom and all subjects should teach students how to think critically when incorporating technology into the learning process. The North Colonie School District is in the process of phasing in various technologies to advance the interests of students and teachers, and I wholeheartedly support this trend.
What, if any, capital improvements do you anticipate the district needing in the next three to five years (excluding those already planned and approved by the voters)?
The most essential unaddressed capital improvement in the district relates to the upgrades and modernization of the Shaker High School which was forestalled due to the larger budget vote failure. Fortunately, the Capital Reserve Fund budget proposal will set aside funds which will go a long way towards addressing these needs. Vote Yes!