Patch Candidate Profile: Patti Moonan, Shelton Board Of Education

SHELTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Shelton and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Shelton-Derby Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Democrat Patti Moonan, 66, is a Shelton resident running for the Board of Education.

Education

MA Marriage and Family Therapy, BA English.

What is your occupation?

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 16 years.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

3 Adult children and 3 grandchildren ages 6, 2 and 1.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes I have been a Board of Education member for four years.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I was given an excellent public school education and I want to see others receive the same.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The inadequate funding of the Board of Education budget by the Mayor and the majority of the Board of Aldermen who support his budget proposals. I support candidates to City offices who will carefully review BOE budget requests and come to their own conclusions as to what are the actual budget needs of the school budget. I support candidates who will work collaboratively with all members of the BOE, regardless of party affiliation, to adequately fund its budget. I will continue to support the Superintendent and his staff with their efforts to mitigate the negative impact of position cuts on the students and the entire school community as a result of the inadequate funding.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a unique work history. I have a background in the law, as my first job out of college was to work as a paralegal at a well-respected Manhattan law firm. This experience has served me well on the BOE as I have been the board representative on various union contract negotiations. Also, I have experience in finance that I gained as a Corporate Lending Officer for Chase Bank in Manhattan. Needless to say, knowing how to read financial statements both critically and analytically has been important with regards to my understanding of the BOE budget.

And for the past sixteen years, I have been involved in the field of mental health as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. As a therapist who works with children and adolescents, I frequently interface with local school districts with regards to the social emotional needs of my clients. This have given me insight into the workings of student IEP's and 504 Plans that are frequently mentioned during BOE meetings with regards to the area of Special Education. I have also been provided an understanding of the important roles of school psychologists, social workers and guidance counselors with regards to a student's well being and academic success.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The role of a BOE member is not only to create a budget for the school system, but also to establish over arching school policies. I have discussed my concerns about the budget. Establishing the over arching policies of the schools is equally important in order to ensure that the school district is compliance with both state and federal laws. One of my goals in this campaign is to make constituents aware of the process of how school policies are established and their impact on school curriculum as well as expectations around behavior of the students and staff.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am the Assistant Chair of the Teaching and Learning Sub-committee. I have provided my professional expertise as a clinical mental health professional in advising the school administration on various avenues to provide additional mental health assistance in the schools. I am in full support of the administration's decision to allow mental health clinician's into the Intermediate and High School to provide one on one assistance to those students in need-at no cost to the Shelton School District.

I have also served on various union contract negotiations and interview committees for school administrators. Over the past four years, I have participated numerous budget meetings to develop the school budget and have worked collaboratively to come up with solutions to bring the budget within the number that the City and BOA have provided to the BOE.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

A close friend once told me to never stop learning. Material things and people will come and go in your life; but your knowledge will always remain.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like voters to know that I place what is best for the students, staff and the overall Shelton community when asked to make decisions as a Board of Education member. I take my role as a BOE member seriously and attend and participate in meetings as required.