Article Title: Donald Grabowski

Edition: March 2002
Category: School
Author:
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Two vacant seats on the Montpelier School Board have drawn four candidates. The seats became open when long-time board members Harry Colombo and Tim Heney announced they would step down. Contending for the seats in the at-large race are: Dan Anderson, Donald Grabowksi, John Hollar, and Nick Marro. Voters will be asked to select two candidates.

Donald Grabowski

Business Manager for Central Vermont Home Health Long Term Care Programs

What are you hearing from people as you campaign?

It's the tax burden. What I'm finding is that the school board has not communicated back to the community the reason the board is asking for a tax increase. It's on the state revenue end. Also, on the street, people are concerned about the amount of money spent on special education and the lack of money spent on advanced placement students. People also are saying the school board is dysfunctional. I, personally, am willing to spend the extra tax money to support the schools.

What do you think of the quality of the Montpelier school system?

I think we have a high quality system that's inclusive and open to parents. Our schools are an integral part of our community. Many of our kids can walk home, we see our kids downtown, etc.

How can you prove it's good?

I prove it personally. My kids love going to school. My kids are well-rounded. On September 11, 2001, when my daughter got home that day, I found she had a pretty good handle on what had gone on. The schools took care of the kids that day, and that's a sign of a good school system. You can also look at standardized test scores, what colleges kids from Montpelier go on to. I don't have numbers, but I know it stacks up well.

What are the shortcomings in the schools and how would you improve upon them?

There are problems with facilities, especially the middle school. I don't see immediate fixes because of the tax burden.

What do you think of school choice, and vouchers to be used in private schools?

I support school choice. It's good to create an atmosphere of competition and let parents have a strong say in how they want their child educated. Vouchers for private schools? I'd support that. And for religious schools? I'd support that too, as long as there were oversight to be sure the funds were being spent on education and not on institutional costs.

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