Election 2021: Scott Ryder For Enfield Board Of Education

ENFIELD, CT — Democrat Scott Ryder, 47, is running for re-election to the Board of Education in Enfield.

Occupation: Marketing & Events Coordinator

Family:Scott & Bridget (O'Brien) Ryder are proud parents of two Enfield Public School students, currently at Eli Whitney & JFK. Scott has been an active volunteer at all of their children's EPS schools since their oldest started Kindergarten at Hazardville Memorial School (Autumn 2013). Bridget brought the EPS Chapter of "Girls on the Run," a national social, emotional, physical & behavioral-skills program for girls in Grades 3-5, to Eli Whitney - and managed this fantastic program for the 3 years our daughter was at EW (2017-2019).

Experience: Enfield and CT's Board of Education (2017-19 & 2019-21).

Family in government: No.

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

The most "pressing" issue? Unfortunately, now more than ever, our town is mirroring national politics. It is all very partisan. Despite this, I intend to continue to work for ALL of our EPS families & staff. I understand that we (BOE) have one employee; we are each only one-of-nine who work with our EPS Superintendent. I am not in charge of anyone, or anything, else. But I can help guide policies and best-practices for EPS that can benefit ALL learners. We do not audit classes, but we do have a voice to speak up for ALL students AND staff, not just for those in our personal circle of friends.

I intend to continue caring for ALL students, including those who may not look, or learn, the same way my children do. I don't limit my "speaking up for" to only those who agree with my personal likes and/or dislikes. I intend to continue listening to the families, and families I know and I see and interact with at school - because I am an active stakeholder inside of Enfield Public Schools.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Again, unfortunately, there are many critical differences between the slates. This doesn't mean "we" are right and "they" are wrong. Or that we try and they don’t, but it should be very obvious to anyone watching BOE meetings, especially over the last two years, that there are critical differences. First, we (Tina LeBlanc, Amanda Pickett, Joshua Hamre & Dr. Jerry Calnen) are all active EPS stakeholders. Four of us are current parents inside of five Enfield schools, and one volunteers with several child-based organizations and also knows generations of Enfield families, as a former Enfield pediatrician. Myself, I have personally volunteered with, and inside of, every EPS school.

We have all volunteered with various EPS partners and have spent years volunteering with many town, sports, theater or dance organizations along with our children (and yours). And of course, my favorite topic, our EPS PTOs. I have helped schools, and families and staff through several Enfield PTOs since Fall of 2013.

Our slate of candidates has never just watched from afar. Our children attend EPS schools. That’s why we speak up for the children & families - and the staff & admins - of the Enfield Public Schools. We don’t suggest to tell you how EPS should run but send our children to learn elsewhere.

Accomplishments:

If I had to focus on one accomplishment over this current term, it would the passing of the 5000s (Policy) series which focuses on the rights of our students, and that of their families. The Republicans on the Board of Education fought against many items in this series for over a year. First, they simply wanted to throw out any and all policies not legally required by the State of CT. Whether they were good ideas or not. Whether the clarity they would have provided could have benefitted students, families and staff, or not. They didn’t want to publicly review them, or publicly discuss them, to see if any benefitted our school community. Simply, throw them out as “not required.”

If you’re thinking, “great, government is too big as it is…I’m with them.” Then let me speak to just a few of them. One policy would have allowed for an excused absence from school to children of Military Families to see Mom or Dad off at the airport (or base) before deploying. Another policy suggested that we hold students to the same behavioral standards while on the grounds of other schools (for sporting events, plays, or musical competitions) that we ask of them while on EPS grounds.

These are just two policies that were going to be dismissed. Why? Because they were “recommended” but not “required.” Don’t worry, both eventually passed. But both ran the risk of never being put into practice due to the Republican’s blanket stance on not adopting any policies that were not “legally required.”

There were some other issues, as well. When I raised concerns about these policies simply being dismissed, along with more than a dozen others, in (Policy) subcommittee - a subcommittee I have diligently served on for four years as its longest tenured member and Secretary – it had been communicated to some “even if (the minority party member) has probs (with this) we are in the majority and need to stick together.”

Why was this their game plan; to ignore all “suggested” but “not required” policies? For one reason. One policy included this series had to do with a Party-line (R) concern that Policy 5145.44 would also be included; which gave students, despite their gender assignment at birth, the right to play sports - as approved by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Association (CIAC). This “only” eventually passed, after over a year of debate, because CT State law also backed it. But if they could have passed the others, without this one, it wouldn’t have taken over a year to discuss the 5000s policy series.

Fortunately, due to their miscalculation to try to block all policies “not required, ” even though some benefitted Military Families, or enforced student’s behavior off campus, and a dozen other good ideas, they all eventually passed. Why? Because I spoke up. They passed because they were all good policies to adopt for ALL students and families of Enfield’s schools.

And If I could add a second accomplishment, it would be getting the Superintendent’s annual evaluation approved this year. Although it was not unanimous, because some took issue with certain benchmarks like “strengthen district equity and inclusion programs.” It did follow the standards that we, as the Board of Education, have set for our Superintendent to carry out which benefits ALL Enfield students. It eventually passed, as proposed, and but not unanimously.

Other issues:

My platform issues are clear, and stated in a few examples above. We are active stakeholders in EPS. We follow the law. We include ALL. We communicate with families and staff, clearly and inclusively. We ask that all nine BOE Members do this too. We speak up for the school communities we liaise for. During Board Comments at every meeting I’ve attended for 4 years, I promote the schools I liaise for (all of EPS, actually). I haven’t heard an update, or a school mentioned by name, from “most” of the other side of the table in months, or even longer. Maybe they don’t really know what the BOE does, or doesn’t do? Some are new, maybe it’s not their fault. Three of the five BOE Rs weren’t elected, but appointed by the Republican Town Council.

Now, to be transparent, we had to replace two elected BOE members this term, as well. But for very different reasons. One had a life-threating health matter, and was replaced by a former BOE Member - who knows the role of the Board. Another member recently passed away. Not only leaving us heart-broken, but down a voice - and a friend to Enfield’s schools. But when we filled that seat, we educated our newest member what our collective roles are, and are not.

We are involved and active stakeholders in our children’s education – and in your children’s educational experience in Enfield Public Schools. We are proud to say, and repeat, and that.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I have never spoken so transparently about some of the “less fun” parts of this role. But this year, it is too important not to. My passion for the BOE has been seen and felt. Through my actions and deeds, I stand for a positive school experience for all. I am a volunteer at heart, I share my time and energy in many ways. I care about our schools and all of the adults who help shape my children’s day. This role is important to me. I hope to have your support, to continue doing it.

And here’s the Enfield PTO “plug:” I also created, maintain and manage a website - which has several social media channels - under the name “EnfieldPTO, ” to increase the number of ways to access communications from our schools and administrators, for our EPS families. If you are not on social media, please visit and bookmark the website, enfieldpto.com for more. I am proud to promote our schools, and all of their wonderful activities, and to our EPS families.

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