SUN: Would you be agreeable to merging with smaller school districts like Scio, Whitesville, and Andover? Why or why not?
VOGEL: I would be agreeable to a merger with another district so long as one of the facilities was closed and it makes sense fiscally for Wellsville taxpayers. To try and operate two separate districts does not save the taxpayers money and creates a logistical mess for the families that are trying to go back and forth between the two.
SUN: Wellsville has low test scores compared to the rest of the region according to the latest state reports. There are infrastructure improvements needed in the schools and buildings and grounds (including athletics) and we have a lot of teaching openings. There is also a budget to be done. What are your priorities as a board member?
VOGEL: The number one priority should always be what is best for the student body and how improvements can be made without financially burdening the taxpayers within the district.
As far as the short-fall with the test scores, I don’t believe that these scores are a direct reflection of the instruction being given by the teachers, and that there are several other factors involved. Identifying these factors should be a priority, and the board should be coming up with cost-effective, sensible ways of remedying the issues once identified.
Any infrastructure improvements in all areas of the district should be presented and carefully considered with the taxpayers in mind. I believe that many improvements can be made with a cost-effective budget and that transparency with spending is of utmost importance. The board can work together to put in place a plan for projects that benefit the students and doesn’t put a drain on the taxpayers.
In regard to the number of teacher openings, if not implemented already, there should be exit interviews done with those faculty members who are leaving to see where our district is falling short in retaining them. Most will seek out positions at districts that are more competitive with their wages. It may be time for Wellsville to offer some incentive to keep our beloved teachers who are leaving for this reason.
SUN: How do you explain the historic number of candidates for a volunteer school board spot ? What is the number one reason you gathered signatures and filed a petition?
VOGEL: I think the turn out is due to people like myself believing the board needs some fresh eyes and ideas. We have been fortunate to have some great people doing wonderful things for quite some time, but it seems that it has gotten stale over the past few years. There are several good candidates running and I believe that we all have the greater good of our students and community members at the forefront of our mission. As a Wellsville graduate and having two kids in the district, I have seen a plethora of changes, both good and bad. My goal if elected is to bring integrity, transparency and accountability back to our board in a way that we can all take pride in.
