Meet Board of Education Candidates

NAME: John Bedlack

POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat

AGE: A very young 65

FAMILY: Married to Justine R Bedlak Son, Peter Bedlack – Daughter, Karen Bedlack Three brothers (still living) and one sister

EDUCATION: BS in Business Education – Central CT State, U MS in School Counseling – Central CT State, U  Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration and Counseling Psychology – University of CT

OCCUPATION: Currently retired but occasionally do some long-term substituting

PAST OFFICES HELD: In-lands Conservation & Wetlands Commission, Some professional offices held:President, Vice-President-Treasurer to Local Education Associations, Treasurer to Conn. School Counselor Association, Logistics Chair to National College Fair, Hartford

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS:Democratic Town Committee

PERSONAL STATEMENT: Having attended many class reunions over the years and listening to comments from former Rocky Hill graduates I’m convinced the education in our schools is current and high quality.  I do believe there is room for improvement and that improvement needs to be intensified immediately. There has been some neglect in curriculum and school infrastructure.  In normal economic times addressing these areas would not be a problem.  Not being in normal economic times will exacerbate our problems but I do believe there are workable solutions and I can help find them.

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NAME: Chris Buckbee          

POLITICAL PARTY: Republican Party

AGE: 22

FAMILY: Lawrence Buckbee – Father, Kathryn Buckbee – Mother, Kacey Buckbee - Sister

EDUCATION: Rocky Hill High School (Class of 2007)

OCCUPATION: Security Officer (Contractor)

PAST OFFICES HELD: None

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS: None

PERSONAL STATEMENT: As a relatively recent graduate of the Rocky Hill School System I have a more modernized perspective of some aspects of it. I am concerned with the economic policy of all governments as a whole and embrace fiscal conservatism, specifically the "Needs vs. Wants" paradigm. Deviating from said economic construct at this harsh economic time would be fiscally irresponsible and would hurt the schools, town and taxpayers. If elected I will execute the office as a member of the Board of Education with honesty and integrity for the students and the taxpayers of Rocky Hill. 

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NAME: Raffaella Calciano-Coler, also known as "Ralf"

POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat

AGE: 53

FAMILY:Husband, Jonathan, Daughters: Amanda and Elizabeth

EDUCATION: Registered Nurse, Paramedic, BS in Business Administration, M.Ed.

OCCUPATION: Director, Emergency Medical Services Education at Hartford Hospital

PAST OFFICES HELD: BOE member for 6 years, Chair of Rocky Hill Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, President of North Central Emergency Medical Services Council, Inc., Vice-President of The NorthEast Association of Allied Health Educators, Chairman of the State of CT EMS Advisory Board Education and Training Committee, Chair for the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Task Force, Co-Chair for the American Heart Association Operation Heart beat, Board of Director for North Central Emergency Medical Services Council.

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS: Active member of the American Heart Association Advocacy Committee

PERSONAL STATEMENT:
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NAME: Dilip Desai

POLITICAL PARTY: Republican

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NAME: Brian Dillon

POLITICAL PARTY: Republican

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NAME: Maria Mennella

POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat

AGE:

FAMILY: She is married and have 3 boys, ages 8 (a third grader in West Hill School), 3 1/2 (Bright Beginnings student in West Hill School), and 1 1/2.

EDUCATION:

OCCUPATION: I currenly work for Judicial Branch, State of CT as Grant Accountant.

PAST OFFICES HELD: Maria Mennella is completing her first full term as member Board of Education; current chairman Finance Committee, Curriculum Committee, Transportation Committee, and Special Representative on Professional Development.

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS:

PERSONAL STATEMENT:

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NAME: Frank K. Morse

POLITICAL PARTY: Republican

AGE: 47

FAMILY: Wife of 22 years - Maria, three daughters  Emma, Lillian and Madelyn

EDUCATION: BS Civil Engineering University of Rhode Island

OCCUPATION: Manager of Inspection - MDC

PAST OFFICES HELD: BOE - Last 4 years,  Planning and Zoning - 3 years

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS: Elks Club, Parks and Recreation Coach

PERSONAL STATEMENT: I have enjoyed serving the past four years and hope to continue the journy,  With three children in the school system I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of the Rocky Hill education process.  I will continue to work towards common curriculum in the elementary schools, modifying curriculum in the secondary schools and bringing technology to all schools.  With the High School on NEASC Warning I will try to find a way to get the message out to the public that building modifications have to take place keeping in mind the economics of the project.  I will also continue the quest to get the elementary school construction on task as the Temporary Classrooms installed at Stevens School are a temporary fix, not a permanenet solution. Thanks Rocky Hill for letting me assist in the education of our most precious resources, our children.

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NAME:  René “Skip” Rivard

POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat

AGE:  60

FAMILY:  I’ve been a resident of Rocky Hill since 1979 and married to my best friend, Jenney. Our daughters, graduates of our Rocky Hill school system, have become successful and productive adults. Emily is a Second year Law student at Hofstra University and Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Business Management and is vice-President of a Colorado bank. Two years ago, Sarah and her husband Ed made us proud grandparents of Jillian Cassidy, our first grand-child.

OCCUPATION: I’m a full-time Professor of Ophthalmic Design & Dispensing at Middlesex Community College in Middletown, CT; Director of Therapeutic & Specialty Contact Lenses at the Connecticut Eye Center, West Hartford, CT; Executive Director of The Connecticut Opticians Association and President of Eyecare Technologies, a national (optical) business management and consulting firm.

PAST OFFICES HELD: Open Space and Conservation Commission: 2004-05; currently vice-Chair of the Board of Education, I was first elected in 2005. On the Board, I’m a member (past-Chair) of the Curriculum Committee, Chair of the Facilities Committee, and BOE Chair of the Joint Facilities (Town) Committee.

PERSONAL STATEMENT:  Recognizing my own children’s personal and academic successes, I hope to continue to give back and offer my experience as a businessman and educator to the academic community that has given so much to my family.  During the next term the Board of Education must make several decisions regarding our facilities and curriculum that will impact our current and future academic successes. It will be essential to listen to the voices of our citizens to reach a consensus in deciding these important issues. As we work together, Rocky Hill will continue to be recognized for its successful school system and for the productive citizens we have educated.

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NAME: Ronald Robbins

POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat

AGE: 49

FAMILY: Wife: Rosie,  Son: Chris (RHHS Class of 2009), Daughter: Kimmy (RHHS Class of 2011)

EDUCATION: MS in Environmental Science from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY BA in Environmental Science from the State University of New York (SUNY), College at Purchase

OCCUPATION:  Sustainability Performance Management Specialist Headquarters, United States Postal Service

PAST OFFICES HELD:  N/A

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS: US Peace Corps Volunteer, Fiji Islands, 1984-1986

PERSONAL STATEMENT:  I am an eighth generation life-time resident of Rocky HilI and graduate of the RHHS Class of 1980.  I have over 25 years of professional experience in federal government and environmental consulting.  My work in federal government, creating and implementing successful environmental and sustainability programs, has been nationally recognized with awards from US Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, along with the US Environmental Protection Agency and Governors in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  In 1997, I received Vice President Al Gore’s Hammer Award for Reinventing Government.   In 2003, I was honored locally with the Rocky Hill High School Distinguished Alumni Award.