Newtown Election: Donald Ramsey 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 several days, so check back often to see the latest.

Republican Donald Ramsey, 68, is running for Newtown Board of Education in Newtown.

Occupation: Retired Public School Educator

Family: Wife Maria, Two Sons, Brian and Timothy, One Grand Daughter, Sophia Grace (deceased), Four Step Children, Annmarie, Lisa, Michael, and Andrew, and Six Step Grand Children, Kaitlyn, Kimberly, Kelly Ann, Eilon, Tobias, and Alden.

Experience: none

Family in government: No

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

The most pressing issue facing our town is a two tiered problem. The first is the loss of achievement for our students as a result of the pandemic. The second is a myriad of social/emotional consequences that has resulted in a lag of parent, teacher, and student morale. My intention is to support efforts in the area of “professional development” that tap into our own excellent local talents as well as reviewing (non-mandated) governmental and outside “profit motive” intrusions that encumber the dynamics of inspirational classroom instruction.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Though the “Democratic” candidates are also good people, the essential difference is twofold. The first is that I am an experienced educator on both the teacher and administrative level. The second is that I advocate for less complexity and bureaucratic oversite into good teaching practices. The team of Janet Kuzma, Jenn Larkin, and Don Ramsey (me) agree that “top heavy” administrative control in concert with too much governmental regulation has a tendency to impede inspirational classroom instruction. Excessive conformity and compliance often results in mediocre learning outcomes. “Blue Ribbon” schools are predicated on the principles of curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and and vigorous expectations for excellence in all subject areas as well as extracurricular activities. The teacher/student relationship is paramount!

Accomplishments:

1. Teaching in an alternative high school for disadvantaged and “at risk” students in a diverse urban setting (Norwalk Public Schools). That experience enhances my ability to communicate effectively and positively influence people from all walks of life. 2. “Central Office” level curriculum and instruction supervision in the Norwalk Public Schools enhances my ability to oversee and establish program, curriculum, and instructional policies in my capacity as a Newtown Board of Education Member. Writing and implementing various grants from the Connecticut State Department of Education enhances my ability to respond as a board member to Connecticut State Department of Education policies, regulations, and grant compliance pertaining to the Newtown Public Schools. 3. Interim Principal at the elementary school and middle school level in Norwalk enhances my ability to oversee matters of personnel, contracts, special education, professional development, curriculum, leadership, building plant issues, and sub contractual issues associated with our schools in Newtown. 4. Various awards for excellence in teaching and program development including, “Celebration of Excellence” in Norwalk for an innovative “interdisciplinary” Technology Education Program, print and media recognition in both Norwalk and Newtown for an “hands on experiential” approach to teaching, “Teacher of the Year” in Newtown 2004-2005, “Profiles in Professionalism” in Newtown 2015-2016, and recognition for program excellence in Technology Education in both Norwalk and Newtown by the Connecticut State Department of Education enhances my ability to promote and support “Blue Ribbon” caliber excellence in all curricular and extracurricular activities in Newtown. 5. Community activism including membership on the Newtown Youth and Family Services Board of Directors, participation in other political campaigns in the Republican Party, serving on various committees within the school district for building improvement projects, serving as the “Teacher Rep” on the Newtown Middle School PTO for over ten years, writing “Opinion Letters” to local print media on various topics of public community and school community interests, active participation as a tour guide for the annual Newtown Savings Bank sponsored “Holiday Festival”, and participation in the Labor Day Parade with a variety of groups enhances my ability to establish effective connections between the community and the Newtown Board of Education.

Other issues:

1. Supporting programming to close learning gaps brought on by the pandemic for all students recognizing the disparate impact on our community. 2. Prioritizing the budget to support teachers, staff, and classrooms while keeping budget cuts a far away from the classroom as possible. 3. Expanding programs that prepare all children for tomorrow’s modern-day workplace. 4. Working collaboratively as a partner with the town in matters of efficiency and finance to be “good stewards” of taxpayer dollars. 5. Running for the Newtown Board of Education with Janet Kuzma and Jenn Larkin as part of a collaborative team to promote excellence in all subject areas and extracurricular activities.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

My general mission is really very simple: First and foremost, I want to be a refreshing influence on people I meet. Second, and I want to leave every position I hold in better shape than I find it.