Derby school-board candidates debate budget, curriculum, special education and pay at candidate forum

Seven candidates for the Derby Board of Education appeared at a candidate forum hosted by the Derby National Education Association to discuss district priorities including budget decisions, curriculum review, special-education funding and teacher and staff retention. Organizers reminded attendees to vote Nov. 4.

Candidates and incumbents framed most budget decisions around the district's state-mandated needs assessment, saying that principals' lists of building needs should drive spending. "We have a state mandated requirement tool put in place called the needs assessment," said Robin Pearman, the board president, describing how principals present prioritized needs to guide budget choices. Multiple candidates said they would protect teacher pay from cuts and weigh other reductions through committee deliberations rather than unilateral board action.

Candidates differed…