Candidates For The 106 Clarify Positions

On Education, Curriculum Reform

By John Voket

While Democratic 106th District challenger Christopher Lyddy takes issue with any proposal to cut the state budget at the expense of much needed school curriculum reform, Will Rodgers, the Republican candidate for the seat, is heading into the final few days of his campaign concerned that his position on education has been misunderstood, and misinterpreted.

“I was disappointed with a recent mischaracterization of my position on ‘Education Reform,’ and the state’s current efforts at revising and further standardizing high school curriculum,” Mr Rodgers told The Bee this week. “As I recall my full announced position to it, I remarked that the State Department of Education should make its first priority the funneling of more state aid to localities, and that internal workings, to include curriculum reform, be secondary and perhaps be reduced.”

Mr Rodgers, who currently chairs Newtown’s Legislative Council, said while he questioned the level of detail in such curriculum reform, and further cautioned against creating unfunded mandates in establishing such a curriculum, “it is overstating the case to say I was absolutely opposed to curriculum efforts.”

The GOP candidate said his “statements on the single, narrow subject of high school curriculum, even if they were characterized correctly, should not have been equated to a position on ‘Education Reform,’ which to me is a much broader phrase incorporating revised standardized testing, incentive pay for teachers, magnet and charter programs, funding formula, etc.”

A graduate of the Newtown Public Schools who is halfway through his first elected term of office on the Newtown Legislative Council, Mr Lyddy said he understands the importance of a progressive education that prepares students to compete in a global economy.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce,” said Lyddy. “We need to ensure that our children are well-educated so that we can strengthen the Connecticut’s economy.”

Mr Lyddy told The Bee this week that Connecticut needs to more equitably fund education by not relying so heavily on property taxes, and ensure that any new mandates are fully funded so that the burden does not fall on municipalities. He also said it is essential that the state’s high school curriculum be reformed.

“While my opponent thinks we can cut curriculum reform in order to save money, I know it is essential,” Mr Lyddy said. “If we don’t keep this in the state budget, the local municipalities will have to absorb this cost and fund it themselves. These new requirements from the state are key to developing a strong workforce, and the state must now work to reform the curriculum to be in line with these new requirements.”

In addition, Mr Lyddy supports various initiatives that would help create a more progressive education for Newtown’s children. He said using technology for virtual classes, partnering with schools in other countries like Newtown currently does with China, and providing scholarships to math and science students will all help prepare Newtown students to compete in a global economy.

 “As a local leader, I know that it is imperative to prepare Newtown’s students to be leaders in the future,” said Mr Lyddy. “We need people who will be leaders not only in politics, but in math, science, business, and other areas.”