Candidate profile : John Blesse

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Republican

Beacon Falls

Board of Education

John Blesse

Age: 46

Occupation: Vice President Sales Riondo USA

Past political posts: Republican Town Committee Chair and RTC Member

Education: Culinary Arts

What should be the educational priorities of the school district?

“Curriculum efforts that have begun to create consistency need to continue. We need to address the consistency as quickly as possible while being sure the professional development for our educators is achieved. Continue efforts of the building committee for the new Prospect grade school looking to the future needs based on the correct accurate forecast of population in both Beacon Falls and Prospect. Determine studies of long-term security and safety at Laurel Ledge via the building committee recommendations determining viability of recommendations. Insure readiness of region to the move to national assessment in 2015.”

How do you plan to approach the next budget cycle?

“Continue to look to a conservative approach especially focused on non-funded state and federal mandates. Look to the work that has begun on regional approaches to common purchasing power within the region. Take every opportunity to capitalize on buying power.”

What are your qualifications for this position?

“Actively involved within the region on BOE issues over the past six years. Involved in youth organizations within the valley. Business owner and manager of businesses in excess of $100 million over past 27 years. Fiscally conservative approach in business as well as organizations I am actively involved with.”

What do you feel is the most important issue affecting students today? And how would you address it?

“As a member of the BOE I will continue to ask how does what we do affect the students in becoming prepared for secondary education and the work place. We need an aggressive approach to the status quo and insuring that we are spending the appropriate dollars where it is most needed; directly at educating the next generation of leaders, business owners and employees.”