Brookfield Candidate Profile: Debbie Brooks, Board of Education

BROOKFIELD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Brookfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Brookfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Debbie Brooks, 53, is running for re-election to the Board of Education as a Democrat. She received a BA in elementary education from Manhattanville College, and is currently the head of Children’s Services at The Brookfield Library.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Ensuring the successful completion of the new elementary school.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

First and foremost, I am a parent with children currently in the school system. I have a degree in Elementary Education and am also a certified Positive Discipline Mentor. I am passionate about education and giving all students the tools and resources they need to reach their full potential, from state-of-the art facilities, to outstanding curriculum, and robust enrichment and extra-curricular activities.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

During the past two years serving on the Board of Education, I have worked hard to ensure responsible fiscal management while providing the highest quality programs and curriculum, as well a positive learning environment for all Brookfield students. As a member of the Strategic Facilities Committee, I have worked hard to make sure the preliminary designs were appropriate to provide our students with 21st century learning spaces that will support our curriculum and strategic goals.

My experience as an early childhood educator and Children’s Librarian, as well as my extensive involvement in community organizations such as the PTOs, MOMS club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have given me opportunities to see firsthand the needs of children in our community. I have well-established relationships with many civic groups in town and am able to facilitate productive partnerships that serve our children from many different aspects.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Education these past two years. It has been an exciting and fulfilling experience that I hope I can continue to enjoy for the next four years as we bring a new school to Brookfield. I am proud of the accomplishments we have made academically, and also fiscally, as we worked collaboratively with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance to reach many of our goals for the district.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” (Bernard Baruch)