Election 2021: Mike A. Paré For South Windsor Board Of Education

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — Democrat Mike A. Paré, 37, is running for the Board of Education in South Windsor.

Occupation: Chief Financial Officer

Family: Samantha - Wife Cadence - Daughter - 8 Zoe - Daughter - 3 We moved to South Windsor in 2013 in large part due to the reputation of the school system. Cadence is currently in third grade at Pleasant Valley Elementary school and I look forward to Zoe’s first day of Kindergarten in the new Pleasant Valley Elementary School!

Experience: Board of Education

Family in government: No

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

Our schools are facing record population growth and we are finishing the construction of our fourth elementary school. As we reach the end of our current three year strategic plan the Board will be setting the direction for the future. I would like to use my experience in strategic planning to guide prudent budgetary decisions that move our district forward and ensure that we continue to maintain an inclusive and equitable culture in our schools. We will also need to evaluate future facilities needs as the increasing elementary population ages into our secondary schools.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I have an extensive background in finance and giving me a unique perspective while looking at our town’s largest budget. I am well versed in working with a variety of constituencies to put together a financial plan that makes sense and addresses our district’s needs.

Accomplishments:

I have been elected to the Board of Education since 2017. The Democratic team brings a variety of experiences and perspectives that complement each other. Over the past four years we have successfully worked with the school administration and across party lines to deliver reasonable budgets, developed an Equity Council led by the Director of Equity and Inclusion, and to fully revamp and modernize the districts policy book.

Other issues:

My core philosophy is that our Board should define a clear roadmap for the school administration that is rooted in the educational needs of our students and that is clearly communicated to families and taxpayers.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

As a Board member my focus is on listening, asking questions, and making decisions based on evidence.

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