CT Patch Candidate Profile: Peter Orphanos For Darien Board Of Education

DARIEN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 3 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

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Peter Orphanos, a Democrat, is running for a seat on the Darien Board of Education.

Candidate's Name:

Peter Orphanos

What office are you seeking?

Darien Board of Education

Age:

63

District:

Darien

Party:

Democratic

Campaign website:

www.hillorphanosboe.com

Occupation:

Risk advisory consultant and in-house counsel, Global Data Risk; retired FBI counterintelligence and national security official (26 years); former litigation attorney.

Family:

Karen (wife), Caroline (daughter, 25 years old; K-12, DHS '19; Williams '23; J.P. Morgan/NY)

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

Darien Representative Town Meeting (2017-2026)

Why are you seeking this office?

The Darien Schools are the bedrock of our community. I am seeking a seat on the Darien Board of Education as a continuation of my personal commitment to public education and advocacy for the Darien schools. My years with the Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP; 2016-17), and

the Representative Town Meeting (2017-2026; Darien's legislature as Co-Chair responsible for Board of Education budget oversight) demonstrate my experience and commitment.

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

The most pressing issue is maintaining the excellence of our schools within a fiscally responsible budget. We need to maintain budget support for all levels of classroom teaching and for our physical facilities, such as Middlesex Middle School, which needs renovation. There is no blank check - we have to make sure our tax dollars are being used effectively and wisely. I will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the Middlesex renovation progresses in a financially responsible manner. We need to develop a strategic plan for future projects that is supported by the entire town government. Long-range coordination and planning will be essential to these goals.

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

Actual experience working with the Board of Education and town government. My nine years on the RTM's Finance & Budget Committee gives me hands-on knowledge of the budget process and how the town's boards and committees work. I have positive, constructive relationships and institutional credibility with town stakeholders from my years working with them. This experience will be critical in addressing and resolving future issues.

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

Teacher retention: We need to continue improving the current positive trend in teacher retention. That requires fair and competitive contracts for teachers, as well as for administrators and staff.

Purposeful technology: I share the growing consensus that technology in the classroom needs to be scaled back appropriately. As expressed by one teacher - we need to get back to real teaching. Students need to read physical books, master problem-solving processes, and hands-on learning without screens. But nor can we ignore the reality of the digital world. We need to empower our students with the critical thinking and creative skills necessary to succeed in a digital environment, and ensure that classroom technology is age-appropriate and purposeful, and not used just to make things easier. We also need to monitor these changes continually and make sure that we know what is working well and what is not so we can make adjustments.

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

My accomplishments as an attorney, 26 years of public service with the FBI, and nine years on Darien's RTM Finance & Budget Committee clearly qualify me for this role. On the RTM, I worked to improve planning processes and effective budgets supporting our students' needs and fiscal responsibility. My suggestions that have been implemented include improving qualitative program reviews to achieve better budgeting decisions and avoid past inefficient ad hoc assessments, and better alignment between spending and district goals and objectives. I am a pragmatic, analytical, common-sense problem solver.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

If you don't like something - do something about it.

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

My work at the FBI included ALERRT certification – the national standard for active shooter response training. My current consulting work includes cyber security assessment and incident response for global businesses.

My wife Karen and I have lived in Darien since 1997, and our daughter Caroline attended Darien schools from kindergarten through graduation from Darien High School in 2019. My personal and professional experience, and my years of demonstrated commitment to public education in Darien show that I am well qualified to serve on the Board of Education.

We need to support and maintain the excellence that the Darien schools stand for, and Darien needs Board members who are ready for that challenge. I will bring careful budget oversight, a respectful and non-partisan approach, and a focus on what is best for our students, teachers, and our taxpayers.