Manchester Election 2021 Profile: David M. Eisenthal

MANCHESTER, CT — Democrat David M. Eisenthal, 59, is running for Manchester Board of Education in Manchester.

Occupation: Municipal Advisor

Family:Sandra Dickerson (wife); Alex Eisenthal (son - 24); Jack Eisenthal (son - 22)

Experience: Both previous - School Committee (Board of Education), Sharon, Mass.; Board of Selectmen, West Brookfield, Mass.

Family in government: Sister-in-law is an administrator in a school district in Minnesota - otherwise, no

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

Dealing with the pandemic. Children and families in Manchester have been struggling with the ongoing educational effects of the pandemic. I believe that the Manchester Public Schools have been taking appropriate steps to address some of these issues. The enhanced summer programming provided by MPS was one such step. Another is the hiring of staff to engage with families where children have been chronically absent from school. I support these continuing efforts.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

My background in public finance and local government gives me perspective on how governmental organizations, like the Manchester Public Schools, work. I believe that with my financial background, I can help maintain or improve the quality of the education provided to Manchester's kids, and while stewarding the Town's financial resources prudently.

Accomplishments:

I have more than three decades of experience working with local governments on financial issues. I served three years on the School Board in Sharon, Massachusetts and I served three years on the Board of Selectmen in West Brookfield, and Massachusetts. My latter service included a period as Chair of the Board.

Other issues:

I favor diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by the Manchester Public Schools, and by the Town of Manchester, generally. As part of a racially diverse family, I think that the effort to help kids of color - and people of color, and generally - feel that they have a sense of belonging in the community is important. Programs like the MPS Race and Equity "Read-Alouds" are designed to provide "windows" for other kids into the experience of kids of color and "mirrors" for those kids. Such programs should be no more controversial than the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. They teach good citizenship for the multi-racial America of the 21st century.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I will work conscientiously for the kids of Manchester - and the entire community.