CT Patch Candidate Profile: Greg Grambling 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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Greg Grambling, a Republican, is running for re-election on the Darien Board of Education.

Candidate's Name:

Greg Grambling

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

Age:

45

District:

1-02

Party:

Republican

Occupation:

CFO; 20+ years

Family:

Wife Katherine, Daughter Samantha 14, Son Hunter 12, Daughter Natalie 9

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

Currently Vice Chairman of the Board of Education and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee; Previously RTM

Why are you seeking this office?

I grew up in Darien and benefited from getting a great education attending the public school system. I'd like my kids and others to have that same opportunity.

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

It is important to note that I am not speaking on behalf of the Darien Board of Education; each of my responses reflect my personal view.

The Board of Education is focused on several important areas for the district, including a potential significant capital investment to expand and renovate Middlesex Middle School, implementing the recently approved 5-year strategic plan and addressing the constantly evolving influence of technology on our students both inside and outside the classrooms.

As current Vice Chairman of the BOE and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee, I have been heavily involved in each of these important areas including weekly meetings with Superintendent Dr. Byrne and the executive leadership team.

Going forward, I will be focused on a disciplined approach to the Middlesex capital investment to ensure we are using taxpayer money responsibly by helping to make sure every facet of the project is addressing educational needs to support our students.

As it relates to our 5-year strategic plan, I'd like to continue to work with Superintendent Byrne to increase community confidence in our education system by upholding Darien standards of excellence and implementing processes and procedures to create accountability over the long-term.

In terms of technology, I personally believe we have come a long way as a district as it relates to technology use over the past few years. While serving on the Darien Board of Education since 2023, I have been an outspoken advocate of the responsible use of technology by our students, faculty and administration. As a result, the district:

• Eliminated access to personal smart phones and devices in Darien elementary schools and Middlesex and curbed the use of high school devices for 9th through 11th graders with Yondr pouches
• Eliminated 1:1 Chrome books in the elementary schools and Middlesex, which are no longer taken home and provided to students with limited availability in school on carts through assignment
• Enhanced safeguards at schools to minimize access to websites that don't have an educational-specific need
• Significantly reduced the number of software programs being used by the district, focusing on those that improve teaching and learning
• Requested detailed classroom technology audit to evaluate utilization rates to better serve our students.

Since the adoption of these policies, Darien has seen the cost of its copier expenses increase significantly, demonstrating an increase in students putting pen / pencil to paper rather than relying on devices / screens.

Going forward, I will continue to take a balanced approach, emphasizing responsible technology use while ensuring that our students are being taught how to think critically without an over-reliance on technology or devices. During recent tours of Ox Ridge elementary school and DHS, I was pleasantly surprised by the absence of device use by students in the classrooms combined with the seamless use of technology by teachers to enhance student learning.

On December 8th, the Board of Education has its mid-year technology update during which the technology department will present an audit of technology use for K-12. This will be an important opportunity to check in on the progress we've made as a district, provide the administration and faculty with direction and help shape upcoming technology initiatives.

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

1. I have 3 years of experience on the Darien Board of Education, including as current Vice Chairman and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee.
2. Similar to my running mate, Zach Fleitman, I have skin in the game. I have three children, one attending each of Darien High School, Middlesex Middle School and Ox Ridge Elementary School. I think having skin in the game is essential to sitting on the Darien Board of Education to ensure alignment of interests and to prevent politics from finding their way into the classroom via the BOE.

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

Just continue to do my best to serve the community as a current BOE member.

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

When I joined the Board of Education, we had a highly dysfunctional board and administration that led to mistrust by the community. While there is still work to do, we have supported our highly competent Superintendent Dr. Byrne since his hiring last year to create transparency and re-instill trust amongst the community, teachers and administration that inures to the benefit of our students.

In addition, during the past 3 years, we have made significant progress on various important areas including implementing a significantly better budget process, negotiating critical teacher, administration and other contracts and making progress on responsible use of technology (as noted previously).

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My mom taught at Middlesex Middle School for 25 years and always used to tell me I have a good head on my shoulders with a great smile - make sure I use it.

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

As noted previously, I grew up in Darien and have 3 kids in the district at each of Darien High School, Middlesex Middle School and Ox Ridge Elementary school, so have a long-term vested interest in doing what is best for the town and its students.