Cheshire Candidate Profile: Bango For Board Of Education

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

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

Joe Bango, 59, is running for election to the Board of Education as a Petitioning Candidate.

Family:

Wife Jeni, son Joseph, 14, daughter Arianna, 12, stepdaughter, Ahmee, 18

Education:

BS Electrical Engineering, MS Electrical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering Technology, Fellow Advanced Study at MIT, PhD Candidate Engineering Technology

Occupation:

I've been an engineer and research scientist for over 32 years. I started my own medical manufacturing and research firm Connecticut Analytical Corp. 28 years ago. My career in science and engineering began as a high school student participating in Yale's 'Frontier of Applied Science', where selected students could attend Saturday morning lectures and then lab tours. On one such tour I met and was hired by a gentleman named John Fenn. Dr. Fenn later went on to be awarded the 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and we worked together until his passing in 2010. The impact someone can have on a student early in their educational journey, cannot be underestimated. I would like, if elected, to effect similar opportunities for student exposure in many fields, from science, to the arts, history, law, and more.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Commissioner, Water Pollution & Control in Hamden CT

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

The key factor missing from the Cheshire Board of Education is a lack of transparency, and accountability to the parents & teachers. Since 2013, I've fought to obtain Freedom of Information from the BOE to investigate problems with safe school climate issues, school expenditures, and board accountability. In response, the BOE uses town funds to pay a law firm to block parents and frustrate teachers. This is unacceptable. I intend to compel open and free reporting on the BOE website, and to keep residents informed myself.

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

I am an unaffiliated candidate which means I will do what I feel is right, not what a particular party tells me to do. We see the same names over and over. There are four seats up for board of education this election. Having one independent, unaffiliated member will help preserve objectivity. If people vote for me, they can still vote for other candidates for the remaining seats.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

We need to expand the early preparation of career choices for our students. Helping students understand what a future in specialties such as science, medicine, engineering, law, art, literature, history, government — or any number of trade options that might be available — will help children transition successfully into adulthood.

I propose workshops held throughout the school year where students are exposed to a variety of professions through visitors and presentations in respective fields. Being experienced in medical and scientific research, I can help introduce new ideas and internships to expand STEM experience opportunities. In one project I was principal investigator, I collaborated with former Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin along with a Nobel Laureate in collaboration with MIT and Yale University.

Additionally, I will be a voice for teachers.

Like students, teachers can also be the victims of bullying at the hands of administrators and others. Over the past few years, I have spoken with multiple teachers who have told me that they have been threatened and intimidated (with firing or involuntary transfers) into silence over incidences of bullying among students they have personally witnessed or reported. Teachers are key allies in the fight against bullying. As an advocate for teachers, I will work to get whistle blower protections for educators.

Teachers are burdened today with more reviews, cookie-cutter academic agendas, and being compelled to teaching to a never-ending stream of standardized tests. What happens is teachers are striped of flexibility and creativity in the classroom. We need to let teachers do what they do best — exercise their passion for teaching.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been fighting for children's issues for the past 7 years. I have a proven track record of seeking accountability from the Cheshire Board of Education, I am founder of Connecticut Kids First, an organization seeking child positive state legislation and safe school technology research, and I was licensed as a foster parent with DCF. I've been honored to have received a fatherhood Award sponsored by DCF from Senator Murphy, and a Fatherhood Community Advocate Award, Presented by Senator Richard Blumenthal.

To help with education programs, including STEM, I am founder of medical and science research firm, Connecticut Analytical Corp. where I have 20+ Patents or Patents Pending, led more than 20+ Government Research Contracts for Department of Defense, DARPA, NASA, and National Academy of Science, and received technology awards from Governor Rell, Governor Malloy, Senator Murphy, Senator Blumenthal, and Congresswoman DeLauro.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

A quote related to me attributed to Ben Franklin is "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

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

My position is to do what is best and right. I have never voted a straight ticket. I vote for the candidate, and have voted in the past for those of both parties and those unaffiliated. I hope people will consider me as one whom they can count on to keep people informed, to generate new ideas, and to help parents and teachers feel more empowered to help children succeed.

I think it is unfortunate regarding some of the divisiveness today in our country. I served in the U.S. Navy for 8 years, honorably discharged in 2005. The Navy core values are honor, courage, and commitment. Forgive me, although it may sound hokey to espouse those today, I think it wouldn't hurt to help our children strive for a code that helps us as a country, where equal opportunity and civility become the goal. Embracing different ideas, agreeing to disagree at times, and encouraging creativity to solve our problems is a worthy achievement.

Campaign website:

ctkidsfirst.com