Election 2018: Ragsdale Brings Classroom Experience To Race

WILMINGTON, MA -- Wilmington voters head to the polls on April 28 for municipal elections. Patch reached out to candidates running in contested races for their thoughts on the issues facing Wilmington. This is the final article in an occasional series profiling the candidates running for school committee.

David Ragsdale brings a unique perspective to the three-way race for Wilmington School Committee: by day, he works as an educational specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. So it's not surprising he sees the biggest challenge facing the committee is attracting the best teachers to the district. Ragsdale, 45, is running in a three-way race for two seats on the school committee, along with incumbent M.J. Byrnes and Jesse Fennelly (Patch already profiled Byrnes and Fennelly).

Ragsdale, who lives with his wife three daughters ranging in age from 5 to 10. He has never held an elected office.

We asked Ragsdale and all candidates in contested races in the April 28 town elections a series of questions on the issues facing Wilmington. Here's what Ragsdale had to say:

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Attracting, retaining, and developing good teachers. We need to ensure that Wilmington is a place where great teachers want to come, and want to stay. We need strong mentoring, collaboration, and professional development. And we need to be sure our salaries and benefits are competitive.

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

My background in teaching and education policy.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Integration and alignment of curriculum, thoughtful rollout of technology, digital citizenship, stability in district leadership and a strong induction plan for the new superintendent.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

The Wilmington community feels (correctly) that the district is in good hands, moving forward on important initiatives, and is responsive to their concerns.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

When auditioning to teach for The Princeton Review, you’re supposed to teach a simple how-to subject. I chose to teach a topic of religious philosophy. I wasn’t invited back. I managed to arrange a second audition, and taught how to make artichoke dip. This got me invited back and led to 16 years of teaching and training. I learned an important lesson: don’t try to impress people, just do the job you’re supposed to do.

Why should voters trust you?

I have three children in the Wilmington public schools and have attended school committee meetings for two years. I’m invested in the district and committed to making it as good as it can be.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

I’m not sure I have a philosophy that can be defined by a quote, but I have always liked the quotation attributed to Virgil: “Fortune favors the bold.”

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

The main person accountable to the school committee is the superintendent, and with a new one coming on board this year, the important questions are how is he going to get to know the district and its needs, and what are his priorities going forward?

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

Wilmington benefits from conservative fiscal policies and a focus on financial sustainability. The school department has been able to count on consistent increases in the school budget in the 3 to 4% range, which has saved the district from painful cuts. The budget is an expression of our values — what we most care about, we fund.

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

I taught for 16 years, have worked at the Department of Elementary and Secondary education for more than six, and served as a member of the superintendent search screening committee.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Cultivate gratitude within yourself. It’s hard to be happy if you’re not grateful, and it’s hard to be a good person if you’re not grateful.

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Are you running for office in Wilmington on April 28? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Wilmington Patch.

Photo by David Ragsdale.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).