Board of Education: Republican Stanley Insler

My name is Stanley Insler and I am running for a position on the Hamden School Board. I have broad experience in education and finance. I was Prof. of Linguistics at Yale (45 years) and Dept. Chairman (10 yrs), and I have been serving as Finance Director of a non-profit educational organization (38 years). Consequently, I see both sides of these related issues.

At a cost of $15,000 per student, the school system is not adequately educating our students, as reflected in annual test scores. These results can be improved, as the implementation of the newly mandated “Core Curriculum” progresses, by emphasizing English language skills. Students at all levels should be taught to read for understanding and to express their ideas both in writing and orally in a coherent and logical manner. Language skills are the key to all knowledge and success.

As to finances, The Audited Town Financial Report of June 30, 2012 shows a deficit of $159,000,000. The deficit arises from poor budgeting for pension obligations over the past dozen or more years and a disinterest in expanding the town revenue base through economic development. Bob Anthony and his team have constructive plans for improving both problems.