Norwalk Election: Katherine Price Snedaker 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 Katherine Price Snedaker, 54, is running for the Board of Education in Norwalk.

Occupation: CEO and Founder, Social Worker

Experience: None

Family in government: My father, Ralph Sloan was one of Norwalk’s longest serving school superintendents from1983 until his retirement in 1998.

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

The most pressing factor for our schools to make sure we have enough funding to provide the staff, supplies, buildings and administration for academic success as well as social-emotional needs of our growing student population. I believe in our teachers and in the Norwalk Public Schools but we must make sure we have the funding every student can achieve success.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

What four independent candidates offer on Nov 2, is the chance to vote in BOE members who are not bound by political party oaths. Members who can vote what is best for Norwalk without thought of party loyalty.

Every person running for the BOE wants what is best for Norwalk's children. We all want the schools to provide what each child needs to success in the future from strong academics to social emotional support as well as art, sports, music and enrichment.

The Independent Party candidates do not owe either party blind loyalty and can truly put Norwalk's children first.

Accomplishments:

I believe my devotion to the Norwalk Public Schools and my success with several volunteer projects shows I can handle being a member of the BOE.

I have been a devoted volunteer and advocate for the schools since 2002. Combining my love of technology and belief that parent-school communication could be improved, I was the first PTA webmaster starting weekly email newsletters between Rowayton School and parents for five years, and then at Roton Schools for four years. Ending paper flyers brought home by students saved time and money for the schools, and email newsletters were a more efficient, effective and reliable way to reach more parents.

I also am the Founder and CEO of PINK Concussions, a 501c3, a nonprofit focused brain injury in women and girls from sport, domestic violence/assault, and accidents or military service. I am an international keynote speaker on brain injury as well as a published researcher. I have also been working with the NPS for the last five years to track concussions across all schools.

Other issues:

My first priority is to work with the other members of the BOE and our superintendent to ensure ALL NPS students receive equitable educational experience and each can achieve their goals post high school. My second priority is to elevate the importance of addressing the impeding school funding crisis sooner than later as the state’s contribution does not meet the needs of our growing city. And lastly, I would like to work to improve BOE communication to build more trust with students, NPS staff, parents and voters.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I have lived in South Norwalk since 1992 and hope to remain here for decades to come. I want to give back to the school system where my sons went to school and hopefully my future grandchildren will grow up here too.