Patch Candidate Profile: Dennis Macauley​, Danbury Board of Education​

DANBURY, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Danbury and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Danbury Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Dennis Macauley, 75, is running for election to the Danbury Board of Education as a Republican and Independent.

Education.

BS, Chemical Engineering, MS Environmental Engineering

What is your occupation?

Senior manager of EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) at Union Carbide and Dow Chemical, combined 33 years of experience

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Widower (married 53 years, wife Sheila died in April); two grown sons Sean and Brian, two grandchildren, Henry and Nora.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes. I served on the City of Danbury Environmental Impact Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?

I believe that the Danbury school system, in ten years, can become a model for the state, if we approach that challenge with creativity, cooperation, and common sense. I would like to be a part of that effort. It is a long shot, but possible if we believe we can do it.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Insufficient in-classroom resources for teachers. This is exacerbated by mandates from Hartford and perhaps a lack of focus by the administration. We spend too much on less important activities…possibly including administrative cost…and not enough on essentials. I would regain local control, prioritize all work, redirect resources, and then, if still needed, add more resources so that teachers can focus on teaching.

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

My skills have been validated by two of the best corporations in the world, Union Carbide and Dow Chemical, and by the Boughton Street YMCA, who chose me as their board chairman. Also, I am an outsider, which gives me a different perspective that might be helpful to the board. Finally, unlike most candidates, I am a retired workaholic, free to dedicate as much time as it takes to do the job.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The current board is composed of dedicated people who work long hours with no compensation. It is a very difficult job and I have no criticism of their performance. I want to work with the new board and the mayor to explore ways to fundamentally change the system.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Teacher safety, and discipline in general, are top priority and have not been handled well. To address overcrowding, I would work to open our new high school as soon as possible. And I would encourage our leaders to negotiate a compromise to allow the downtown public charter school…approved by the state but blocked by local politicians… to open, to further reduce crowding and improve parental choice. Finally, I would love to explore a better way of funding schools than property tax, which I believe to be inherently unfair.

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

As an engineer, I am by nature a fact-driven problem solver. As the former corporate safety director for Union Carbide, I know how to keep teachers and students safe. As the manager of a large global program at Dow Chemical, I know how to prioritize, control costs, and achieve objectives. And as the former board chair of the Boughton Street YMCA, I understand the value of parental involvement, volunteerism, and diversity.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My wife used to say, “Every day is a gift.” I want to use this gift to make our schools better, even, perhaps, the envy of the state.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe that parents and taxpayers are the prime customers of our school system, and that competent management and empowered teachers are essential to meet their needs. I believe in parents’ rights, but equally, parents’ responsibilities. I believe that waste and low priority work must be eliminated before we can expect support for additional resources. Finally, I will faithfully represent all Danbury residents, even those who do not support me.