Wallingford Election 2021: Michael Urban For Board Of Education

WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in Wallingford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council and Board of Education.

Wallingford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Michael Urban, 42, is running for election to the Wallingford Board of Education as a Democrat.

Occupation: Occupational Therapist/faculty

Family in government: no.

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

The single most pressing issues facing our town is a lack of reinvestment in our teachers, staff, and infrastructure. The board must be fiscally responsible while investing in the future via infrastructure, technology and strengthening student and teacher experiences in the least restrictive way. Our strengths lie in the diversity of educational programs offered, in the quality and passion of our teachers, and in the overall educational structure and utilization of school buildings. To build our schools to become number one in the state, we need to reinvest in our teachers first. To do this we need to give them access to the tools and infrastructure to meet the needs of today and the future. Through supporting our teachers and staff, who already show strong dedication and love for our children's education, and our children will flourish further and master the skills needed to excel in a global and complex society.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Being certified as a black belt in lean six sigma process improvement methodology has afforded me the skill to lead groups through complex issues to find the most efficient and cost-effective solution. Beyond my background as an occupational therapist, I have served as an administrator in the federal healthcare system, overseeing a $27 million dollar budget; on university faculty, and where I developed programs to meet national accreditation standards; and in several state and national leadership roles including the current Vice Speaker for the Representative Assessment for the American Occupational Therapy Association and Past President of the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association.

Accomplishments:

Voluntarily serving as the President of Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association, I oversaw policy restructuring, financing, advocacy, and drafted documents to state legislators to protect occupational therapy practitioners and customers related to a variety issues. I have reduced waste in a complex federal system to allow for the expansion of services while remaining on budget and preparing for the future needs of the organization and those we serviced. I currently work at the University of New Haven where I am the founding director for the doctorate of occupational therapy. In this role I have advocated for policy changes for those students seeking accommodations due to a variety of impairments that hinders the students ability to learn at the university. I have also developed the circular framework for three graduate level programs adhere to professional accreditation standards for educational delivery in the health sciences. I have 20 years of clinical and leadership experience which I will bring to the board to work as a team for the future of our children.

Other issues:

1. Need to re-invest in our teachers and staff to allow them the opportunities to expand children experiences. 2. Improve facilities infrastructure. 3. Look at improving our green footprint for a sustainable educational system. 4. Build upon our strong vocational, STEM, and general arts programming, along with supporting our supports and music programs. 5. Be a voice for under-represented populations in our community such as LBGTQ+, people of color, special education, and lower socioeconomic populations.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I have called Wallingford my home since 2004 but have been involved in the town through my father who was the manager of the old Kmart on rt 5 since 1984. My mother is an immigrant from Italy who learned English in school. The experiences in my own family mean I sympathize and listen to families, students, and staff from all walks of life and believe in occupational and social justice for all.

Are you running for office in Wallingford? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on Wallingford Patch.