Szot pick to fill school board seat

Jul 22, 2010 — The Keene Sentinel

Sarah Palermo

Jul. 22, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Ann F. Szot is the newest member of the Keene Board of Education, chosen by a unanimous vote after an hour-long interview Monday.

She faced former state representative, retired lawyer and former judge Peter S. Espiefs for the seat, which was vacated by Amy K. Speas on July 1.

Before moving to Keene, Szot worked at Citibank in New York and said her passion while on the board will be "finding innovative solutions to financial problems.

"I love budgets, I love spreadsheets. I love finding money," she said, earning a laugh from the board and the roughly five members of the public in attendance.

She said she's thought about running for a seat on the board several times in the past, but hasn't because her three children were still young. All are now in school full time -- one is in college, one is a senior at Keene High School and the youngest will be in full-time elementary school this fall.

When this opening came up, the time was right, and a current board member encouraged her to apply, she said.

Szot suggested several places in the budget the district might look for savings -- compelling conversation for board members who have said frequently they expect to lose about $1 million in state aid next year.

Szot suggested offering cash bonuses to teachers who choose not to get health insurance from the district, and finding a way to install a merit-pay system. Offering a teacher a few thousand dollars would save the district the difference between that and a potentially costly insurance premium, she said.

"The problem with public education sometimes is that we don't reward the good and we continue to reward the bad," she said.

"I certainly do not have all the answers," she said, when board member Neil W. Donegan asked how she would propose funding a merit-pay system. "But I would go out and find it. There are companies that have the answers. We don't need to reinvent the wheel."

She proposed securing funding from the state or a grant to start the program.

"If it would be successful, you would attract some of the best teachers wanting to be part of that," she said.

Szot will be sworn in at the district office in Keene as soon as possible, according to board Chairman Kathleen O'Donnell.

Sarah Palermo can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1436, or spalermo@keenesentinel.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-1475-47200038