Patch Candidate Profile: Mini Santosh, 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.

Mini Santosh, 56, is running for a seat on the Board of Education as a Democrat. She has a master's degree in literature, and has worked as a childcare director for 30 years.

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

Yes. Myself and my husband Santosh Mohanraj and two boys ages 30yr and 14yr

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I have been an advocate for Education and Children all my life and look forward to bring my experience and knowledge to the Board of Education which needs new voices who believe in Education and educational outcomes and opportunities

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

Positive Change and if I am elected I plan to bring in some new positive changes to Board of Education focusing on better learning outcomes for our students in the community

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

My body of work and experience in the field of education and I have worked with students and families for the last 30 yrs. Not every candidate running has that life experience working with families in the community or have engaged them in conversation about their expectations about educational outcomes for their kids in this community, which is the most important thing needed, when running for this seat.

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

I am not here to challenge any one of my incumbents, all 3 bring in their expertise to the board, but I am very sure that I will bring in mine which is much needed for this District. My body of works speaks it all.

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

Equity and Representation,
Good working /learning environment for staff and students which includes renovation of schools and HVAC upgrades in all schools. Which will bring in the best staff to our students and stop high burnouts of workforce.

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

My work in the Early Childhood industry for the last 20 yrs in CT speaks volumes of my work as an Early Childhood Educator for providers, staff and families

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Be the change you want to see on this world"
by Mahatma Gandhi

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

I want the voters to trust me and my passion for better educational outcomes for our students in this district which they truly deserve. My positions on education and my goal is to develop an equitable, high-quality, and sustainable system that ensures that every child has a quality educational foundation that will prepare them to grow, learn, and succeed. More than a decade of underfunding school budgets resulted in our public education system is not been adequately staffed. We cannot afford to hire enough people and we cannot offer salaries or working conditions that compete with our neighboring communities. Quality instructors are leaving our district for higher pay and better working conditions.