Janet Kuzma Running For Newtown Board Of Education

NEWTOWN, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Newtown 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 various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next couple of weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Republican Janet Kuzma, 39, is running for Board of Education in Newtown.

Occupation:

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

I believe the single most pressing issue facing our town is the impact of the pandemic on students’ mental health and academic achievement. The learning loss that has occurred, due to policies and procedures put in place, is becoming more evident and needs to be made a top priority. So, too, and do we need to fully recognize and address the mental health issues that have grown over these past eighteen months. It is my intention is to be a strong advocate for programs that will help close these learning gaps and mental health issues created by the pandemic. I will focus on efforts to provide our school staff with the tools they need to address these issues while also being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I believe one of the most critical differences between me, with my colleagues, and the opposing candidates is our belief in parental choice. Currently, our system has a one-size-fits-all approach that is leaving many students and parents frustrated. I believe parents should have a choice in matters that impact their children. Having 4 children of my own, one of whom is in special education, and I see firsthand that each child is unique in learning. While one child might be navigating all these changes and protocols without issue another is struggling and falling behind. The Newtown students who are struggling deserve more dynamic solutions that will create the best educational experience.

Accomplishments:

When my youngest child started Kindergarten, I immediately got involved with our school PTO and the following year took over as president. It was one of the most rewarding jobs; I loved collaborating with other parents, as well as school staff, to provide some great educational experiences for students. I would say my greatest accomplishment from my time serving on that board is growing a group of active and informed parents while bridging some gaps between parents, teachers, and staff. I learned the importance of taking criticism and using it to evaluate yourself and continue conversations with an open mind. Learning to work together, even when in disagreement, can create some the most beneficial experiences for our children. Another recent accomplishment was being a part of a movement the led our children to return to school last winter after 6 weeks of remote learning. I, along with candidate Jenn Larkin, found many other parents who were frustrated with the decision to close schools; we began advocating for our children to have the choice for in-person learning. Helping to alleviate staffing shortages described by the superintendent, and I engaged parents in an effort to serve as substitute teachers. I was proud to fill that role and loved seeing firsthand how dedicated our school staff are to teach our children through a very trying time.

Other issues:

I am running alongside two other intelligent and hardworking advocates for the children of Newtown, Jenn Larkin and Don Ramsey. Together, we believe in focusing on putting students first and advocate for academic accountability, smart spending, and community connection. Aside from addressing the pandemic learning loss and mental health concerns, we would like to see a fair and equitable education for all students. We would also like to prioritize the budget to support teachers, staff, and and classrooms while keeping budget cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. It is equally important for us to work collaboratively as a partner with the town.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

The decision to run for Board of Education was not one I took lightly. Having moved here for the quality of the education program, and having 4 young children going through the schools, I am highly invested in our school system. This is a huge commitment and a 4 year volunteer position that will take time away from my family but a sacrifice I am willing to make for our community and children of Newtown. I understand that, if elected, my voice will be representing the family and students of Newtown, not just my own. As a parent though, I know that my voice is very powerful so I would encourage parents to be a voice for their children. Get involved, speak up, and and share your voice with the community.