Milford Election: Emily McDonough Souza For Board Of Education

MILFORD, CT — Democrat Emily McDonough Souza, 33, is running for Milford Board of Education in Milford.

Occupation: Attorney

Family: Husband, Frank

Experience: Currently serving on the Milford Board of Education

Family in government: No

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

Making sure our students are able to move forward and achieve at the highest level in a post-COVID world, given the challenges that the last year and a half has presented. For instance, we need to focus on promoting the well-being and mental health of all of our students, and to continue providing additional academic supports and resources to them in order to address any pandemic-related learning loss.

Ultimately, the current leadership team for Milford Public Schools, in conjunction with the current Board of Education, has done a good job of identifying and planning for these challenges through the implementation of the district’s social-emotional learning curriculum, its high quality instructional practices, and its effective use of ARP/ESSR funds to promote learning acceleration and recovery during this time. I intend to continue that forward momentum if I am re-elected.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

As a lifelong Milford resident who attended Milford Public Schools from kindergarten through high school, I love my hometown and am very invested in giving our students the highest quality public education to support their development. In addition, I am a litigation attorney whose practice includes education law, so I am well-equipped to think analytically in high-stakes situations, to work collaboratively with colleagues toward a common goal, and to be an empathetic listener to the stakeholders in our school community.

Accomplishments:

As a member of the current Board of Education, I have played a role in the implementation of High Quality Instruction (HQI) in our classrooms, the introduction of the 1:1 Chromebook initiative for all students, the addition of World Language and STEM labs to our elementary schools, and the achievement of a balanced budget to end the 2020-21 year, despite the enormous financial strain of COVID.

As a practicing attorney, I have been recognized for my professional skills by being named a "New Leader in the Law" by The Connecticut Law Tribune in 2021, as well as "One to Watch" by The Best Lawyers in America for its 2021 and 2022 editions. Finally, as a volunteer in the community, I have served on the Board of Directors for Beth-El Center, Inc. since 2018, and have served as pro bono counsel for the organization Lawyers for Children America since 2019, and in which I represent Connecticut kids who are the subject of abuse and neglect petitions.

Other issues:

I support a curriculum in Milford Public Schools that is comprehensive, rigorous, and prepares students to graduate as critical thinkers who are able to advocate on their own behalf in the “real world, ” whether that be pursuing college, a trade, the military, or another personal endeavor.

In addition, I am proud to have supported budgets during my last term that ensured the financial integrity of the school district while translating into student achievement. Going forward, the budget needs to continue supporting our students by investing in updates to our buildings and facilities, and as well as technological needs for the 21st century.