Norwalk Election 2021: Shirley Mosby For Board Of Education

NORWALK, 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.

Independent Shirley Mosby, 58, is running for the Board of Education in Norwalk.

Occupation: Finance - Tax

Family:
Adam Mosby-Johnson (son) Norwalk High School grad, Graduate, Quinnipiac Univ.
Jaymie Mosby (Nephew) Norwalk High School grad.

Experience: Board of Education

Family in government: No

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

Building back trust, transparency of all decisions made, more openness and communication with our parents and community.

The Norwalk Public School must be a system that provides quality education for all children and assists and inspires students to reach their highest potential, regardless of socio-economic status or disability. Improving student achievement in conjunction with Parental and Community involvement, as well as Communication are essential for success.

As a former board member with six years of experience, I understand the role of a BOE member and their duties. I will be able to hit the ground running on day one. I will work with the Board of Education members and the Superintendent to implement the most appropriate policies to improve student achievement. I believe my years of experience and knowledge would be beneficial when working with the stakeholders to win back the trust of the public.

Parental and community involvement are key and very important to improve student achievement. We need to keep parents engaged and at the table and form partnerships with parents and the community. Our children spend most of their time between home and school. Therefore, it is important that we increase opportunities for parents and the community to be involved and provide input I will encourage public participation and involvement at all levels. I will do this by gathering input and opinions of faculty, staff, parents, students, and the community before considering policy changes.

As an advocate for open communication, transparency, and accountability, I will value your children and your opinions. I will be a person who will be accessible to all and will listen and respond when someone reaches out. I believe everyone has a voice, and it should be heard. I will represent the best interest of Norwalk’s children.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I’m a lifelong Norwalk resident, who attended Norwalk Public schools (Rowayton, Ponus, Brien McMahon) and my children attended (Cranbury, Columbus, West rocks, Norwalk High). This has given me a unique insight to all the schools.

A former Board member who served on the board, because of my past experience and knowledge I will bring a different perspective that would be helpful when making decisions.

A proven community leader, and a strong advocate for open communication, transparency, and accountability, my leadership style is inclusive. I have one purpose - to ensure our school system offers a strong, quality education to every single student. I believe if one child fails its one child too many.

I value your children and your opinions; a person who will listen to you. I can be counted on to keep the community informed about the Board’s decisions.

Accomplishments:

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Albertus Magnus, and certifications as a Paralegal and Human Resource Management. I have an extensive background in Human Resources, Compliance (Legal) and Finance (Tax).

An active Community Leader - Parent/Child advocate and former board of education member. I was elected to the Board of Education in 2013 and appointed in 2007 as Rick Fuller replacement on the Board of Education.

On the Board I served on the following committees:

• Chaired Curriculum Committee
• Policy Committees
• Adult Education Liaison
• Negotiations Committee
• Parent Advisory Committee

In addition to my public service:

• Graduate of CT Partners in Policymaking
• Certified with the State of CT as a Parent Advocate
• Graduate of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI)
• Co-President of PLTI Alumni Association
• Graduate of Parents Supporting Excellence in Education (PSEE)
• Former First Vice President, and Education Chair of Norwalk NAACP

I am affiliated with and provided leadership roles in several organizations:

• Chairperson of the Norwalk High School Parent Outreach Organization
• Norwalk High Principal Search Committee
• Junior Achievement instructor
• School to Career Mentor
• Kids Start Smart
• Past Secretary Cranbury PTO
• Past Member, Norwalk High School Building Advisory Committee

Other issues:

- Address Norwalk’s growing funding crisis linked to state funding. The ECS does not fairly fund Norwalk students
- Win back public trust of the Board of Education; provide greater transparency on operating, financial and personnel issues.
- Address equity and pandemic learning loss concerns by getting students “Back to Academic Basics” in our schools.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am seeking election to the Norwalk Board of Education on the independent party line. I’m an experienced leader advocating for and educating parents to take an active lead in their children's education. I’ve an extensive background in Finance-Tax with a BS in Business from Albertus Magnus. I’m a Community Leader-Parent/Child Advocate. A strong believer that all children have the ability and are capable of learning given the proper tools, services, and guidance.

I welcome this opportunity to help reestablish the Independent Party, reinvigorating the line, the party, and its local platform, with candidates from all political backgrounds. Our goal is to ensure that all children receive a quality education. In order to do that we need everyone’s input students, parents, staff, community, public and taxpayers.

I’m a proud parent of a son (Norwalk High graduate) who graduated from Quinnipiac University and a nephew who is a Norwalk High graduate.