1)      Background and Credentials:  I am a current School Board member unanimously selected to fill board vacancy, an officer of the West Bend Public Schools Foundation and a three year member of Citizens Financial Advisory Committee.  This involvement has given me an opportunity to understand the complex issues facing the West Bend School District.

I am a parent of 3 students enrolled in West Bend Public Schools.  I have 22 years of professional experience is in strategy development, execution and performance management, and an MBA from Duke University.

2)      What is your platform and goals?  Great Schools are Great for the Community.  I want the community to see more of the successes in West Bend schools and demonstrate the educational value the District offers.   I will protect the interests of student, taxpayers and educators by improving communication, making more information available and holding the District accountable for the efficient use of taxpayer resources.

 The quality of education offered by a community can be a leading indicator of long-term property values.  Families, including mine, decide to move into West Bend based on our schools.  Businesses look for skilled work forces.   I believe it is short-sighted to under-fund education.

3)   Why did you vote for the full tax levy in October for the 2009-10 budget year?  The majority of the levy increase was required to offset the $2.4 million reduction in state aid, not an increase in spending.   Had the Board not levied to allowable levels, another $600,000 spending cuts would have been required.  Facing a $6.5 billion deficit, the State Legislature is forcing tax decisions down to local boards.  In each of the next two years, West Bend is expected to receive $2.0 million less in state aid.  Programs cannot be cut enough to offset these reductions without severely affecting the quality of education that has earned West Bend national recognition.

4)   The School District is faced with having to cut approximately $2 million per year for the next 3 years due to changes at the State level. How should this be dealt with?  The District must examine every budget item to ensure taxpayer resources are used as productively as possible.  However, this will not close the funding gap and even with a list of $4.4 million of proposed reductions, we cannot save our way to a balanced budget without affecting education.  We need a community discussion to determine what type of education the community values and is willing to support. 

We need to balance the needs of students, taxpayers and staff, and each group will be making sacrifices.   If anyone believes we can do this with no tax increase at all, they are not being honest with the community.

 5)    Do you think the School District can continue to provide a high quality of education with these kinds of cuts in upcoming years?  We will offer a solid education, but will it be enough for our students to effectively compete after high school for family sustaining jobs or positions at the best colleges. 

West Bend offers more programs and student services than other area districts, even while operating with one of the highest student to teacher ratios and the lowest per pupil spending rates reported by the Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance.  

 Over 80% of the District budget is salaries and benefits.  To help manage this expense, the Board is asking union members for minimal salary increases and higher health care sharing.  The only other way to reduce this cost is through staff reductions.  Each $1,000,000 cut equals 12-15 staff, which will increase class sizes, reduce student support services and reduce extra-curricular activities.   Doing this 2-3 years in a row will erode the quality of education we offer.

 6)    Did you support the spring 2009 referenda? Why or why not?  Yes.  Badger was cited twice by the Office of Civil Right and represented about 50% of an $80 million list of deferred maintenance items.   It was time to upgrade this facility.  The referendum for other locations would have fixed other neglected maintenance, and addressed the space issues in the elementary and middle schools.  Everyone one of these schools violates fire code every single day for small group teaching in the hallways.

 7)    What specifically should be done about the overcrowding and facility problems in our District?  In 2008, West Bend added 140 students at the elementary level.  Enrollment increases require additional classroom space.  School gyms are used 100% of the time to meet state requirements for physical education and lunches, so we cannot just add trailers.  Every school has small group and individual tutoring in the hallways, creating fire code violations. 

Moving elementary kids to the middle schools was not a scare tactic for the referendum.  It is a reality that will continue and will put more space pressure on the middle schools.  As long as West Bend continues to grow, more class space will be required as students move through the system.

8)      Why would you make a good School Board member? What unique qualities and perspectives do you bring to the Board?  Before voting for something, I make sure I consider what I am voting against.  This requires exploring all sides of issues and asking for facts.  I will ensure everyone has the same opportunity by making information available and understandable. 

 I have the experience to understand what it takes provide students a great education.  The challenges are complex, and cannot be solved by Board Members with a single issue focus.

 To give the community an opportunity to know me and make sure they know who they are voting for, I created a website www.corazziforwbschools.com and Facebook fan page.   Voters should ask if other candidates are willing to do the same.