Guilford Election 2021: Nick Cusano Running For BOE

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

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Republican Nick Cusano, 53, is running for Board of Education in Guilford.

Occupation: ___________

Family: Julie Cusano - Wife Chris Cusano - GHS Class of 2022 AJ Cusano - GHS Class of 2025

Experience: No previous elected offices

Family in government: No family in politics or government

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

The incorporation of divisive politics is influencing student assignments across the school system. This is a direct derivation of the works of Kendi, D'Angelo, and Iriving that were provided to the faculty by Dr. Freeman and endorsed by the current Board of Education. There is no place for political agendas in school, it should be a place for a balanced presentation of information facts, and issues, and driving students to think critically to form opinions free of influence. Teaching students how to think rather than what to think should be the overriding philosophy of the schools.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I am not the establishment but a critical analytical thinker driven by facts and not afraid to ask difficult questions and challenge established norms. I strongly support the role of the parents in the education of their children. Re-establishing the role of the parent while increasing transparency in the classroom to better inform parents should be one of several key operational priorities for the Board of Education.

Accomplishments:

I have many academic and professional accomplishments but as a parent running for the board of education and my most relevant accomplishments are my children. The quality of their education and the quality of the education of all students in Guilford town is what motivated me to run for a seat on the Board of Education.

Other issues:

The Board of education budget represents approximately 60% of the town's budget and is increasing every year. There are hard decisions to be made in the future regarding the sustainability of a continually increasing budget given current economic conditions and student enrollment projections.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am a person dedicated to this community having grown up here and returned here to raise my own family. I have dedicated countless seasons to coaching youth sports (little league, hockey) to teach kids the value of hard work, and and how to work as a team. I have great faith in the youth of this community and want to work as a member of the Board of Education to help ensure their success.