NAME: Brett A. Bonin
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ADDRESS: http://www.brettbonin.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
ADDRESS: 6628 General Diaz St., New Orleans, LA 70124
PHONE: (504) 482-9589
FAX: (504) 586-0106
E-MAIL: bbonin@juno.com or adam.ben.reed@gmail.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
PROFESSION: Attorney
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION: Have my own Firm, Brett A. Bonin, Atty., L.L.C.
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION: Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School
APPLICABLE TRAINING: I will use the skills I have learned as a professional advocate to fight for reform on the Orleans Parish School Board. I will advocate for accountability, transparency, and fiscal reform. My wife will also be an asset since she is a former elementary school teacher and director of a pre-school and kids day out program.
CIVIC EXPERIENCE: I have moderated and taught at the Louisiana Bar Association's Ethics School. I have also taught law office management and trust accounting for the Bar to new admittees. I am chair of the Bar's Practice and Assistance Committee. I volunteered with Crisis Unit of New Orleans Police Department for eight years, but realized that the real problem facing New Orleans is our school system. Until our school system is fixed, nothing else will fall into place. I am a member of the St. Dominic Council of the Knights of Columbus.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP: I was just re-elected to a fourth four year term on the Orleans Parish Republican Executive Committee and I serve on the board of Greater New Orleans Republicans.
1. WHAT EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU HAD REVIEWING AND/OR APPROVING LARGE ORGANIZATIONAL BUDGETS?
I operate and run my own law firm. I represent many clients who own large companies and I regularly work with Certified Public Accountants when reviewing voluminous financial statements and budgets. I have the expertise to know what to look for and where to find it when reviewing financials.
2. HOW HAVE YOU SHOWN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN NEW ORLEANS IN THE PAST?
By supporting two reform candidates in District Three in the past (Scott Shea and Mark Doherty) and by taking the time to review the past seven years of independent financial audits and other independent reports on the Orleans School System in order to determine what the real problems facing the school system are and how to fix them.
3. WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS WHICH WOULD INCLUDE COSTS OF ADEQUATE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND RENOVATION AND/OR CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT FACILITIES?
I am a strong supporter of charter schools and believe they (and all schools which fall under the Board) should receive adequate funding for special education services and physical plant improvements. Many charter school have received grants (some may receive upwards of $2,600,000.00) which have accelerated their obtaining suitable facilities and have allowed them to offer special services. The problem of the Board being able to adequately fund special education services and the renovation and/or construction of permanent facilities must be addressed by a comprehensive and well thought out master plan to reduce inequality and waste. The master plan that is to be submitted must be carefully reviewed.
4. WHAT POSITION WILL YOU TAKE WITH THE LOUISIANA STATE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (BESE) AND THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE ON THE UNIFICATION OF THE NEW ORLEANS SCHOOL BOARD AND THE NEW ORLEANS RECOVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT?
In order to convince the State (namely, BESE and the legislature) to return the recovery district schools to the Orleans School Board, we must show that we are reforming the Board and that we are accountable and fiscally responsible. I will fight for this reform which is the best way any school Board member can promote re-unification.
5. WHAT CONCRETE, MEASURABLE GOALS WILL YOU PROPOSE TO YOUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR?
We must continue to increase our district performance score (DPS) and we must reduce our deficit from the $50-100 million mark it has been at recently. We must develop a strategy of reducing or seeking forgiveness for a portion of the $500,000,000.00 in debt the Board currently shoulders.
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