Enfield Candidate Profile: Janet Cushman, Board Of Education

ENFIELD, CT — The 2023 municipal election season is heating up in Enfield, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Enfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Name: Janet Cushman

How old will you be as of Election Day? 53

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.enfieldrtc.org/enf...

What city or town do you live in? Enfield

What office are you seeking? Board of Education

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: I attended the University of Connecticut and Flagler College, earning a BA in elementary education and deaf education.

What is your occupation?

While not currently employed, I am thankful to have the opportunity to volunteer my time with a variety of organizations, like American Heritage Girls, Aglow International, and River of Life Christian Fellowship.

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

Yes, my husband and I have been very richly blessed with children and grandchildren.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

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

Yes. I was appointed to the Enfield Board of Education in February 2021 and was able to continue to serve, being elected to the board in November 2021.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

As Abraham Lincoln wisely noted, “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” Investing my time on the Enfield Board of Education is an investment in our community and ultimately, our nation as I help to ensure that our students have the opportunity to be well educated in an environment that is established on truth and integrity and promotes American values like freedom, equality, and diligence.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the need to create a policy that will establish objective standards so that only safe and age-appropriate materials are available and utilized throughout the school in both classroom and library settings.

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

Admirably, our teaching staff and administrators have worked hard to earn advanced degrees, setting a great example to our students about the value of education. However, when a decision of theirs has been questioned or challenged at a board meeting, some current members of the board have asked, “Who are we to question those with advanced degrees?” Yet, I believe that as elected members of the Board of Education, it is our responsibility to question and hold accountable those who wield great influence over the minds and lives of our children. That is what our constituents have elected us to do.

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

• Transparency. I will advocate for transparency in creating a detailed budget for the school district, transparency with the training materials used for professional development, and transparency with teaching materials -both primary and secondary sources - used for instruction.
• Parental Involvement. Parents are a child’s best advocates and primary educators. I want to encourage parents to exercise their right to make informed choices and feel comfortable addressing assignments, policies, and decisions affecting their children's education.
• Student mental health and academic performance: I will encourage and support measures that will improve student mental health and academic performance in our district such as the formation of a mental health committee and adoption of “The Respect Project”.

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

As an educator by profession as well as a tutor and home educator, I have over twenty-five years of teaching experience in a variety of settings.
For the past two and a half years, I have also served on the Board of Education. I have worked with members of the policy committee to update and edit existing or new policies based on recent legislation, and have also made suggestions for new policies based on concerns voiced by constituents. I regularly attend meetings of the curriculum committee where I have the opportunity to meet and learn more about our school district through the presentations of administrators and teachers.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you.

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

I am available to discuss my positions in greater detail. Members of the Enfield community may email me at Cushman4Christ@aol.com or send a text to 860-745-2003.