East Haven Election 2021: Michael Enders For Board Of Education

EAST HAVEN, CT —The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Republican Michael Enders, 73, is running for Board of Education in East Haven.

Occupation: Part-time Online College Instructor In American Government

Family:Wife Sandra is 62 years old and works as a mental health professional and part-time online college instructional Son Adam is 17 and will graduate from East Haven High School in June. Grown children Robert (age 42) and Rebicca (age 39) live in Indiana.

Experience: Current vice-chair of Housing authority, past treasurer of East Haven Public Library, and former member of Economic Development Commission and board of Zoning Appeals.

Family in government: No one in family is currently active in politics or government. Adult son has been chair of Allien County (Indiana) Libertarian Party.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

The most pressing issue of the East Haven Public Schools is that most students perform below grade level in English and Mathematics I plan to examine the curriculum and suggest any appropriate changes. I will also pay close attention to feedback from parents.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Current board of education doesn't have a curriculum committee and

Accomplishments:

I worked for the Social Security Administration for 38 years before retiring as a Senior Attorney at the New Haven Hearing Office and which has given me knowledge and experience of how bureaucracies work. Service on boards and commissions of East Haven has given me knowledge of town issues. I am parent of a student who has been in the East Haven Public Schools since pre-school.

Other issues:

Much of the poor performance in English in Mathematics is related to the fact that many students do not speak English as their primary language and socio-economic factors prevent students from getting enough support for education from home. We need to encourage parents to take advantage of support from the community. We also need to have a robust program of vocational training for those student who are not destined to go to college.