Bio

I’m originally from Connecticut. After graduating high school, I enlisted in the Air Force. Following active duty, I was selected for the First Sergeant Academy staff to become an instructor, where I worked for 14 years. I have pursued higher education since enlisting in the 1980s, and I now hold college bachelor’s degrees in business, education, and philosophy. Currently, I work under the Director of Education within the Department of Defense, but my proudest achievements of all are being a husband to my beautiful wife and a father to an exceptional young woman who graduated with the class of 2014. I have seen the district erode over the past few election cycles, and my lifelong career as a public servant has prepared me for this role and for what must be done to get back to where we should be.

What is the most important issue facing the school district? How do you plan to address it?

Without a doubt, the most important issue facing the district is school safety. I plan to work with district officials and local police to ensure that our students and teachers have safer environment in which to learn.

What kind of mental health support would you like to see in schools and how would you advocate for it?

While I will always vote to ensure that schools have trained mental health professionals on staff to support our students, I am wholeheartedly against teachers giving students advice that does not fall within their specialty or certification. As a school board member, I would advocate for schools to have qualified psychologists and/or social workers on staff, and for parents to always be informed on and included in the decisions made regarding their children.

How should the school board approach curriculum topics/books/materials that members of the community want removed?

I think that it is important to listen to the concerns of all members of the community and engage in respectful dialogue about curriculum topics and materials. As a School Board member, I will advocate for a transparent and collaborative process that includes input from educators, parents, and students to make informed decisions that align with our district’s values.

Do you support the passage of HB96, which would reduce the eligible voting age for school board elections from 18 to 16?

I do not support the passage of HB96 because I don’t think that students under the age of 18 are particularly ready for that responsibility. As a community member and former parent in the district, I appreciate the school board’s ability to give a voice to community members and parents in the education of their children. Once students are legal adults and of voting age, I would greatly encourage them to participate in all local elections, but up until that point, I would worry that teachers may overstep their authority and try to influence elections in their favor.