On Monday, October 27th, Coginchaug’s Student Government Association hosted a “Candidate Night,” led by Hayden O’Sullivan and Carson DiNallo. These students invited the candidates running for the Board Of Education to answer some questions posed by Coginchaug students, which were collected through a form sent out earlier in the month. Candidates were given two minutes each to answer the various questions. 

Nick Konstantino, John Mennone, Deb Osvald, and Mark Simmons were present at the event. Christine Cowan was unable to attend, but zoomed with Dr. Sydney Leggett, the superintendent, prior to the event, and her answers were played alongside the other candidates. Dave Thody was also unable to attend, but did not Zoom with Dr. Leggett. Here is what each candidate shared with the audience: 

Nick Konstantino (D): 

Nick Konstantino is a Killingworth native who attended HK schools and Xavier High School. Mr. Konstantino and his wife, who are parents of four year old triplets, moved to Durham because of the school district. However, in the years that they have lived in the district, they have seen a significant decline in quality. Mr. Konstantino wants his daughters to get the best education possible, and they are his inspiration for running. 

Mr. Konstantino is a software developer and when asked what is one word his friends would use to describe him, he responds with “reliability.” Mr. Konstantino was also asked, what is the first thing in the district you would do and what is a long-term goal you would set? His response to this question was that AI trivializes work and allows students to forgo their learning. He would make sure that both students and staff deeply understand AI, and  how to use it properly. A long-term goal of Mr. Konstantino would be to work on the expansion of the district’s pre-k system. 

Mr. Konstantino thinks the biggest issue in the district currently is communication. He says we need to get back to being a district that makes the community proud. Mr. Konstantino will go to great lengths in order to hear the concerns of the community, and will always answer your concerns whether you text him, email him, or call him. He even said he wouldn’t mind cooking you dinner so you can see what life is like with triplets running around the house! One of the questions asked was how would you help the community make a strong transition to Memorial? His response to this was communication and transparency. He also talked about how he likes to make decisions based on data, which is why he would use a survey to gather the community’s opinions. 

Of course, since this was a student-led event, there was talk about a later start time for the high schoolers. Mr. Konstantino’s reply was that it would “not be the worst thing in the world.” There is data that shows it could be beneficial, but it could also really affect student jobs, sports, and extracurricular activities. The students also asked for his thoughts on having a couple of half days a month. He said that it would be a good way for students to participate in community service and be more involved. 

At the end of the event the audience asked, what is the most important thing you think students should learn in school or in life? He answered with his grandfather’s motto: Do not be afraid of hard work. Make hard work be afraid of you. Consistent hard work will create consistent results. 

John Mennone (R): 

John Mennone is Captain of the Meriden Police Department. He has three sons, one being a junior at Coginchaug. He has been a board member for four years, and wants to have an honest and transparent board. Mr. Mennone wants to ensure the safety of all the students in the  district, maintain sports and extracurricular activities, and foster academic excellence. One word his friends would use to describe him is driven, and similarly, Mr. Mennone says he never gives up.

When re-elected, the first thing Mr. Mennone would do is develop a strategic plan for the district. In the long run, he wants to make sure the district completes the three school system project, which he says will allow us to invest more in the kids and academic excellence, as well as allow us to renovate Coginchaug and Strong. 

Mr. Mennone thinks the most important issue facing the board is the Memorial project. He says it needs to be extremely successful and fiscally responsible and that we need to communicate and be transparent about this project. On this note, he was asked, how would you be able to listen to voices in the community? His reply was that listening is the first step to effective communication. He says he will listen respectfully. While he may not always agree, he will be truthful and make data driven decisions. 

Another of the questions posed was how would you help the community make a strong transition to Memorial? He responded that he would do so by involving the community so that they can voice their opinions and concerns. 

When asked about a later start time at the high school, he said that we need to instill in our children to be places on time. There are pros, however a later start time could affect sports, staff, and bus routes. Mr. Mennone was also asked about having a couple of half days a month. He said in response to this question that as long as the school is meeting academic hours, it would be nice to get out early before holidays, complete community service hours, and become more involved in the community. 

At the end of the event the audience asked, what is the most important thing you think students should learn in school or in life? His answer was: To be yourself, don’t be afraid of who you are, find yourself a mentor, and work outside of your comfort zone. The world is yours, don’t be afraid.

Deb Osvald (R): 

Deb Osvald is the Director of School Climate, Culture and Human Resources for the Wolcott Public Schools and a former PTO Chair. She says she has a bit of empty nest syndrome and wants to fill her time and help move the district forward. When asked, what is one word her friends would use to describe her, she responds with trustworthy. She says she serves as a sounding board for many of her colleagues who come to her with concerns and ideas. 

When elected, Mrs. Osvald says the first thing she would do is assess where the district is right now, specifically in terms of curriculum and planning. According to her, the biggest issue in the district is the Memorial project. She says it needs to move forward and be fiscally responsible. Mrs. Osvald was also asked how she would be able to listen to voices in the community. Her response to this was through surveys, and events like the Candidate Night. 

Mrs. Osvald also noted that the best conversations come when people disagree, because it promotes conversations and open dialogue. Mrs. Osvald was also asked how she would help the community make a strong transition to Memorial, to which she replied that we need to complete the project and make sure it actually works. After students and staff have moved into the school, we still must keep tabs on the project. For Mrs. Osvald’s response on a later start time, she said that this will impact athletics and other after school activities. Instead, she recommends that seniors get a first period study hall. 

When asked about having a couple of half days a month, she replied that she needs more information to make a decision. She encouraged students to come with a proposal. At the end of the event, the audience asked, what is the most important thing you think students should learn in school or in life? Mrs. Osvald’s response was that school is the foundation for what makes students good people. It helps them adapt to change and take on new challenges.

Dave Thody (R): 

While he did not attend the Candidate Night, Dave Thody introduced himself to the district on a post to FaceBook. Dave is a “life long, 4th generation” Durham resident, and his daughter attends the district. He says that “Durham is my home” and that he’s very proud of that fact. Dave himself graduated from Vinal Technical School, and currently holds a heavy equipment job. Due to this experience, he strongly supports programs that allow students to learn a trade. 

Dave is an active member of the Durham fair, working with his father and friends to run and do demonstrations at the Farm Museum, which gives people of all ages the chance to learn about farm life throughout history. 

Dave states that, as someone with a child in the district, his main reason for running is to help foster a safe environment where students receive a “high quality education” that sets them up for success in life. He says that he’s not running for recognition, but to improve the communication and fix common frustrations within the district: “I only want what’s best for our kids.” At the end of his post, Mr. Thody quoted a notable line from the popular movie The Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Mark Simmons (D): 

Mark Simmons has been a resident of Durham for 6 years. He grew up in Enfield, and earned a degree in English at Uconn. He now works as an infrastructure engineer, which requires him to work across teams every day, making communication very important to him. When asked why he is running for the Board of Ed, he said that he wants parents to keep their children in the district and focus on the importance of community involvement. Similarly, when asked what the first thing he would do is, he said that he wants to make Board of Ed meetings more accessible to parents by changing the meeting times and making them available on Zoom. His long term goal for the district is to make school lunches healthy and available to all students. 

As mentioned, communication is very important in Mr. Simmons’ job. This has translated to his platform, as he stresses that communication is a key part in keeping the community informed, processes running smoothly, and strengthening relationships. Students asked how Mr. Simmons would help the transition to a newly built Memorial run smoothly, and his response was that there should be fluid communication from the board to residents. He also suggested a tour of the grounds while under construction to provide a real time progress update. 

Mr. Simmons, when asked about the possibility of 1 or 2 half days a month, reflected on the fact that it would be a great time for students to get involved in the community, enjoy nature at places like Millers Pond, or enjoy a “senior lunch.” Connected to that, he believes, through the research he’s seen, that later start times would be “beneficial to high school students.” Students also asked about adding new or different courses to the curriculum, to which Mr. Simmons stated that “a good first step” is finding out what parents and students want to see, though there will be some limits as to what can be offered. However, he says that this is a chance to really “give RSD13 an identity.” Mr. Simmons answered the final question, about what the most important thing students should learn is, by saying he thinks it is self advocacy, and that school is a great opportunity for this. 

Christine Cowan (D): 

Christine Cowan was unable to physically attend on Monday, but she did prerecord her answers to be played at the appropriate question. She has 3 children that attend the district, and one that is outplaced. She brings a finance background with her, as well as parent experience, which she says makes her approachable and easy to talk to when they have questions. When asked how her friends would describe her, Mrs. Cowan said “a good listener, empathetic, compassionate, and fair.”

The changes that Mrs. Cowan wants to help bring to the district include creating an inclusive climate, improving transparency and accountability, working on the budget, and for the long term, working on hiring a director of curriculum. When it came to student questions about later start times and half days, Mrs. Cowan admitted that she didn’t know much of the research surrounding the topics, but would like to learn more to make an informed decision. She did add that for her daughter that is outplaced, the half days the school has every Wednesday serve as a great reset. 

Mrs. Cowan touched on the subject briefly before the question was asked, but on the topic of new course offerings, she said that it is very important that students have access to classes that help them determine what they would like to do in their future. She also wants to address what possible reasons are for why students continue to leave the district for other schools. 

When questions about the transition to a newly built Memorial came up, Mrs. Cowan spoke about the importance of getting feedback from school leaders and other voices, and continue to make changes as needed. She also spoke about how listening to student and community concerns is important, and when it comes to supporting groups, such as student athletes, it’s necessary to take what they say into consideration. 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th. Polls will be open from 6am to 8pm, and the Secretary of State’s Website has specific polling locations.