Stafford Election 2023: James Greene, Board Of Education

STAFFORD, CT — James Greene is running for a seat on the Stafford Board of Education in the November 2023 election.

Name

James Greene

How old will you be as of Election Day?

42

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://stafforddtc.org/

What city or town do you live in?

Stafford Springs

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

NA

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democratic Party

Education.

BA from Florida Atlantic University in Holocaust and Judaic Studies. MA and Rabbinic Ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Graduate of the Mandel Institute's Executive Leadership Program.

What is your occupation?

I am a rabbi, and have served in various roles in nonprofits for nearly 20 years. Currently, I am the Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Family Service of Western MA, a large human services agency that serves the four counties of Western MA.

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

My wife, Jen, and I have been married for nearly 19 years. We have two daughters, Talyah (15) who is a sophomore at Stafford High School, and Kol (12) who is a 7th grader at Stafford Middle School. We love animals, and have two dogs, a cat, and a flock of chickens.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I am an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals and formerly served on the Stafford Conservation Commission.

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?

Since moving to Stafford in 2016, I've been touched by the exceptional education my daughters, Talyah and Kol, have received. This is marked by the recent Student Performance Index in which Stafford High School was best in class for student performance in math, science, and English! I am driven by the motivation to ensure this excellence is maintained throughout the entire district while being cost-effective for the community. My choice to settle in Stafford was influenced by the potential I saw for my children to excel in a smaller town with outstanding schools.
I have been involved in the Stafford Music and Drama Boosters and serve as a parent representative to the district’s equity and inclusion committee. I believe that the success of our town will be built upon the success of our schools. I want to be part of that growth for my children and for this town that has become our home. A seat on the board of education will allow me to continue to support our students, educators, and community.

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

Obviously, the budget is our most critical issue. I chose to run for Board of Education after the last budget process. I saw first-hand the challenges our teachers were facing to provide an excellent education without the necessary resources. And at the same time, many residents in town aren’t able to fully engage in the budget process until it comes up for a vote. I hope that we can work with community members, the Board of Finance, and the Board of Selectmen to ensure that the budgeting process is accessible and transparent and that we can provide more stability for the schools and our town in the years ahead. This is particularly true with special funding from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds running out and more of those dollars returning to the regular budget.

Investing in our schools is about investing in the future of Stafford. When our school remain excellent, families want to move here and will build the next generation of businesses here in town. We should welcome the opportunity to leverage the excellence of our schools and grow Stafford from the school district out!

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

I am an engaged parent and community member. I regularly attend meetings of the Board of Education and have since long before I decided to run for this position. Additionally, I serve as a parent representative for a district committee, and participated actively in other community organizations and town boards.

Additionally, my two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector sets me apart from other candidates. I am adept at managing large budgets, and have significant experience writing and monitoring federal and state grants. Most importantly, my experience as an agency and community leader has provided me with a strong background in collaborative leadership and demonstrates my dedication to our community.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The Board of Education currently has four open seats. I look forward to being elected to the Board, and to working alongside new and returning members to celebrate our successes and continue to improve our school system.

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

Schools certainly prepare students for further education and the workforce, but there is more to it than that. We also ask our schools to help develop our students’ sense of self, build a positive identity, and help them discover their potential. Ensuring that extra-curricular activities, like drama and sports, are available for all students helps each person identify life-long passions. Having after-school clubs allows our young people to explore hobbies and interests while developing skills they wouldn’t learn in conventional classes. In short, we want our schools to develop the whole person. Additionally, we aspire for our schools to be a mirror for students to feel included as well as serve as a window into new cultures and experiences that can develop the whole child.

During my tenure on the Board of Education, my goal would be to create a nurturing environment where every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the chance to thrive and attain their utmost potential. I want to work with parents, teachers, and administrators to continue to build an inclusive culture that prioritizes a sense of belonging and an ability for all individuals to see themselves as integral to the success of our school district.

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

We are in a challenging moment. As a town, residents are navigating significant budget constraints while trying to discern how best to invest in our growth and success. Throughout my career as a nonprofit executive and community organizer, I have had the privilege of guiding my organizations through similar conversations - trying to discern how our values can guide our work. I believe deeply in the power of values-based decision making as the pathway to provide thoughtful leadership.

After I earned my professional degrees and began my career, I continued my education through fellowships and continued professional development programs. I believe being a life-long learner is important, and my participation in these advanced studies programs demonstrates my commitment to support our town's students.

Personally, I grew up in a military family and moved around often as a child. Since we moved to Stafford, this community has truly become our home. I am deeply proud of the family we are raising here, my service to the town through a variety of committees and volunteer opportunities, and the relationships and connections we have made.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My mentor shared with me once that, "if you have core values that guide your decisions, then decisions are never hard to make.