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Torolopoulos looks to focus on finances
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
Sam Torolopoulos knows that financial stability is crucial for any school district to thrive, so he is seeking a place on the Carroll ISD Board of Trustees to help guide that stability.
Torolopoulos has filed to run in Place 6 on the school board, which is currently held by John Thane. Thane could not be reached for comment about his intentions to run for re-election, but Torolopoulos said he believes Thane is not running again.
Matt Kormann is also running for Place 6. Election Day is May 11.
“That combination, plus the budget issues the district is facing made me think that this is the time to get involved,” said Torolopoulos, who has served on the district’s budget and finance committee. “This year, we didn’t balance the district’s budget. We have a $3 million deficit. As a result of the economic downturn, the growth in our tax base isn’t as big.”
Torolopoulos said the budget is not a short-term issue but a long-term issue.
“We need to prioritize revenue to maintain the strength and quality of education we give our students, which I’m sure is on the minds of every board member,” Torolopoulos said. “Quality of education is utmost.”
Torolopoulos said his experience in finance will make him a good board member.
“I have experience in municipal accounting, and I have done audits for cities and counties,” Torolopoulos said. “So I understand the accounting side of municipalities and school districts.”
Torolopoulos said balancing the budget without raising taxes is his goal.
“We need fiscal responsibility, and we need to focus on priority of expenditures,” Torolopoulos said.
Torolopoulos said other priorities include transparency.
“I want to have the district’s financial information available for residents to see and review on a regular basis,” Torolopoulos said.
Torolopoulos said he also favors term limits.
“If someone gets on the board for 12, 14 or 16 years, it can cause the direction of the board to drift,” Torolopoulos said. “It’s a good checks and balances on the system.”
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