There is officially a race for the open Windham School Board seat, and it's a former selectman who has decided to toss his hat into the ring.
Dennis Senibaldi, 45, a 13-year Windham resident and father of three, will take a shot at the board vacancy caused by the expiring term of Dr. Bruce Anderson.
Anderson decided to run for re-election shortly after the filing period opened last week.
"I would like to help focus on solving crowding issues at the middle school, Golden Brook School and (Windham) Center School and I feel that my construction and expertise, 25 years in the business, can be very useful on the board," Senibaldi said.
After a brief stint with AT&T after he left the military, Senibaldi started his own construction company called Senibaldi Contracting Corporation.
His experience in construction includes a big project accomplished at Nabnasset School in Westford, Mass.
The phased project was an overhaul renovation of the elementary school, and he said that students were in session during the construction and it was "more than just doable."
Senibaldi said that he does not support a new school facility on London Bridge Road, a cost item that will go before voters in March in the form of a $31 million warrant article that will include fields.
"I would like to really get back to the nuts and bolts of what the facilities committee went over and a realistic goal of what is accomplishable at this moment of time with the economy," he said.
He added that athletic fields should also be presented to voters as a separate item.
Senibaldi served for about a year on the committee, which developed a Facilities Master Plan for the district and the town.
"I served on the facilities committee to make sure they looked at every option," Senibaldi said.
Senibaldi was chairman of the Board of Selectmen between 2008 and 2009. He said that he understands the inner workings of the board, and can try to see if certain items can be accomplished jointly between the town and school district.
He added that the boards are very distinct, but noted that the school district could take a page out of the town's book when it comes to its planning on Capital Improvement items.
Senibaldi expressed disapproval of the $1 million that was requested during CIP season by the School Board, saying that it wasn't clear at that time what they wanted to use the money for.
He explained that the Board of Selectmen work so that town CIP requests are squared away by May or June.
No other candidates have filed for school office. The deadline to file at the SAU 28 office is Feb. 1 at 5 p.m.
TonyM
12:59 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Would be a great addition and give Anderson a long overdue rest.
Ed
12:59 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Districts that vote to approve a project prior to July 1, 2013 will not be eligible to receive School Building Aid for that project. New law has school projects chosen based on need. (Considering this information, would it be better to delay voting yes on the current plan before July 1st 2013??? (Any one running for school board, should comment.) http://www.education.nh.gov/program/school_approval/school_build.htm http://www.schoolconstructionnews.com/articles/2012/08/23/new-law-puts-restrictions-on-state-construction-aid-in-nh
One Man Wolf Pack
2:28 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Try getting this valid point through Anderson's logic is going to be a big task. Remember only a big expensive completely top of the line new school is what we can make do with AND NOW; according to him.
wm as it is.
1:05 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
you have my families support , good luck.
One Man Wolf Pack
2:18 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
@Dennis, how many impact fee schedules have you been involved with as a Selectmen for the town of Windham?
@Dennis, how come as a Selectmen for the town of Windham you had never opted to include impact fees for any future development that your work on the FMP indicated the town of Windham would need?
@Dennis, you claim to have extensive experience in construction and school renovation projects, with this experience how come you never thought of opting to include impact fees for the future development of Windham that you knew we would need?
@Dennis in your extensive experience in construction and business have you ever been involved in or had financial gain from a new development project in Windham that was subject to impact fees?
@Dennis, I have been an open advocate of yours since you announced your candidacy and often touted your commitment to answering all questions and statements brought forward; it is my expectation that you continue that behavior and answer these questions now.