Kenneth Birk, Board of Education candidate for Avon

Kenneth Birk, Avon Republican candidate for Board of Education, demonstrates the commitment, firm grasp of important school issues, and affinity to STEM subjects to Deliver Results that make Avon’s exceptional schools nationally recognized.

How would you provide the necessary education services with a minimum of expense?

By continuing the proven Avon Republican Leadership that delivered a world-class education to the children of Avon.  I intend to work towards enhancing an environment teachers who inspire a passion for learning in students are noticed and acknowledged for those abilities.  One way to accomplish this is in a financially prudent manner track positive results and optimize those elements of our non-discretionary spending to continue to deliver an outstanding Avon education.   Another is to leverage and encourage effective and efficient technology inside and outside of the classroom.  We must also continue to be thoughtful and decisive in the curriculum we choose to support and implement so we can continue to make the best investment in preparing our children to excel in the future competitive marketplace.

What are the most important education issues facing the town, and what would you do about them?

Tomorrow’s global and competitive marketplace for jobs will require our children to better position themselves to collaborate with others and work across countries and cultures.  In addition to World Language offerings Avon’s children will benefit from having a firm understanding and broad appreciation for mathematics and science.  Utilizing technology can be one key learning tool to help students bridge the gap of more advanced mathematical concepts.  I believe providing a solid foundation and offering a wide array of math and science perspectives should be a cornerstone of the Avon education, and will pay dividends for the community, the state and the lives of our children down the road.

It appears that enrollment will be declining in the next few years. How would you suggest preparing for the decrease?

A declining enrollment trend is an opportunity to optimize our learning environment, maintain desirable yet responsible class sizes, explore shared services, all while improving instruction and energizing education by spreading best teaching practices.

Avon Republicans Deliver Results.  Experience Leadership Collaboration

Kenneth Birk

Board of Education

Recently married (Jennifer) and a 7 year Avon resident

Avon Inland Wetlands Commission, member

Actuaries’ Club of Hartford & Springfield, President and recently elected to the Society of Actuaries’ Product Development Section Council

Volunteer at Hartford Actuarial Bootcamp to assist and provide scholarships to local high school students aspiring to a career in actuarial science

Actuary and Fellow of Society of Actuaries (FSA), Member of American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA) and Charted Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA).

Director of Product Development and Pricing for Individual Life Insurance at Prudential Financial in Hartford

B.S. in Actuarial Science, Summa Cum Laude, Penn State University