Patch Candidate Profile: Patricia Borghesan, Trumbull Board of Ed

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

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

Democrat Patricia Borghesan, 73, is a Trumbull resident running for the Board of Education.

Education

Canisius College, BA English

What is your occupation?

Retired Development Professional

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

Yes, two boys, both grown

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Yes, I was appointed to the Town Council in 2021 to fill a vacant slot

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 believe a quality education is essential for later life success. Our goal as a community should be to offer the best education to all students that we as a town can afford. The covid years were extremely challenging and we still have some work to do for our students to provide all the resources they need to succeed. I want to be a part of these decisions.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents will be prioritizing how to address the needed school renovations identified in the comprehensive master plan recently completed. This plan gives us the tools to determine which school (s) is either renovated in place or built as new. Capital projects over $15 M will go before the voters but before that happens, more discussion needs to occur. I intend to be a strong advocate for input from the community as these projects move forward.

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

The most obvious difference is that I am not an educator or administrator. I spent 14 years in an academic institution in a fundraising capacity and I have a deep appreciation for the talented men and women who devote themselves to the teaching profession. Chairing the Middlebrook School/Booth Hill School Roof Building committee has given me insight on the facilities needs of the schools. Being a parent of grown children has also shown me in a concrete way that a quality education is essential for later life success.

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

To remind our residents that quality public schools benefit us all by making Trumbull an attractive place to live and work. I believe in partnership and cooperation. Good working relationships with the various town boards is necessary to fulfill our mission--to provide the best education possible for our children

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

Completing a successful Middlebrook School Roof Project, which entailed direct communication with the state authorities, coordinating with School officials and keeping a committee engaged and informed over a lengthy period. My experience on the Town Council is also relevant as it gave me a depth of understanding of the budget process.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen deeply, then ask questions.

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

I'm a positive person who is solution oriented. Kindness and a smile accomplish a great deal.