New Canaan Election 2021: Penny Rashin For Board of Education

NEW CANAAN, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in town will be on the ballot.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 2, Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on a few topics.

Democrat Penny Rashin, 66, is running for the Board of Education in New Canaan.

Occupation: Retired Attorney/community Volunteer

Family: Husband Daniel Rashin Two sons Steve Rashin, NCHS 2005 and Sam Rashin, NCHS 2009

Experience: New Canaan Board of Education

Family in government: no

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

Delivering a world class, in person education to our K-12 students as we safely navigate out of the pandemic I will be guided by science and advocate for effective mitigation strategies, including masks as needed, and to keep students safe. I will work with our administration to incorporate the positive aspects of technological innovations achieved in the past year and support the new Innovation Center at NCPS.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

In November, five new members will join the BOE. My knowledge as a 14-year incumbent on the BOE will be valuable. NCPS’s excellent results arise from the partnership, based on trust and experience, between the BOE, and administration and teachers. I have helped build that trust and will ensure NCPS continues to innovate and succeed.

Accomplishments:

I am a three-term incumbent on the New Canaan Board of Education. I chaired the $17 million Saxe Building project that renovated the auditorium and built the STEAM classroom addition and have served on the Resources, Re-Open Schools, Teacher Negotiations, South School Windows, and High School Building and other BOE Committees.

Other issues:

The BOE needs to implement the healthier school start times initiative, which has elementary starting at 8 a.m., 7-12 at 8:30 a.m. and 5-6 at 9:15 a.m. I will work with the administration and a broad-based implementation committee to ensure the needs of parents, children and the organizations who serve them are anticipated and met smoothly when the new start times become effective.

I also want to improve NCPS’ diversity, equity and inclusion education so our students have the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s multi-cultural world. The BOE first included a DEI goal in the summer of 2020. Delayed by covid in implementing this initiative, and NCPS now needs to press forward to set forth concrete steps and goals that will support our students and prepare them to thrive in college and in the careers they choose.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

A graduate of Dartmouth College and UVA Law School, I practiced civil litigation for 17 years before staying home to raise my two sons, both NCPS graduates. I consider the work of NCPS and the BOE in educating New Canaan's children fascinating, and challenging and of utmost importance. NCPS must continue to improve and innovate to meet changing times and give New Canaan's children the knowledge and skills to succeed.