Easton Election: Kathy Thompson For Region 9 Board Of Education

WESTON-REDDING-EASTON, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Republican Kathy Thompson, 56, is running for Region 9 Board of Education in Easton.

Occupation: Marketing Consultant

Family:My husband and I chose Easton over twenty years, largely because of its excellent public schools. I have a son in seventh grade at Helen Keller Middle School and a daughter at Joel Barlow High School.

Family in government: No

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

The single most pressing issue facing our town is the division and discord over issues which has overflowed into our schools and distracted from focusing on our children's education. With a new superintendent and a new principal at Joel Barlow High School -- and Helen Keller Middle School -- I will leverage this tremendous opportunity to re-focus on delivering a strong curriculum, maintaining a positive school environment, and preparing our students for life after graduation.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

The critical difference between me and other candidates seeking this position is that I believe there is merit in all viewpoints, and that a balanced perspective leads to the best education for all of our students. I am committed to putting our children, families, and educators first, ahead of a personal or political agenda.

Political activism should not drive our schools, which are supported by the taxes of all families. I'm an educational activist, not a political activist. The decisions we make for our schools affect all our students, their families, our teachers and administrators. I will cultivate civil discourse, good listening, and rational consideration of the issues to drive an excellent education for every one of our students.

Accomplishments:

I have more than thirty years of experience working with clients and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to solve tough problems. I think creatively and can bring people with differing views together to meet challenges and large and small. I'm a lifelong learner and believe there's always a positive way forward. I love exploring new ideas. My skills and outlook have resulted in successful outcomes in everything from business results to supporting teachers in their classrooms to executing PTO and Cub Scout events.

Other issues:

I'm committed to excellence in education. We must rebound and re-focus after eighteen months of the COVD-19 pandemic disrupting our children's education. We can't simply catch up, we must move forward. Our ER9 schools have always outperformed norms and it's time to move out front once again. Our students, families, teachers, and administrators are awesome and are up to the challenge.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am a good listener, a clear communicator, and a logical thinker. I enthusiastically use my skills and energy to support our schools and students, logging hundreds of hours volunteering in our classrooms, organizing Easton PTO events, working with Easton Cub Scout Pack 166, and serving on the boards of the Easton Learning Foundation and the Redding Area Chapter of the National Charity League. I will work hard to support and deliver an excellent education and positive school experience to our students. I look forward to serving our community, and I ask for your vote on November 2, and 2021.