Regan Lamphier, Nashua Board Of Education Candidate

Regan Lamphier

Age (as of Election Day)

47

Position Sought

Board of Education

Party Affiliation

Democratic Party

Family

My family consists of my husband Bill, and my two boys. My son Thomas is 28, he and his girlfriend live in Somerville, and work in the restaurant industry. My son Ethan would be turning 15 this year, but he passed away suddenly from pneumonia in 2014. Ethan had multiple serious disabilities, but he had a good life because of advocates who fought for the rights of people with disabilities. Ethan is my inspiration for entering public service, and I find great joy in honoring him by giving back to the community.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband and I are both employed by the US Postal Service. I work in Boston, and he works in Manchester.

Education

*BA in History from Merrimack College in North Andover MA
*Graduated from the UNH/Institute on Disability Leadership Series
*Attended the Advanced Leadership Series offered by UNH/IOD
*Completed the Special Education Volunteer Advocate training program offered by the New Hampshire Parent Information Center

Occupation

I have worked for the US Postal Service for 23 years. I have been a member of their union for my entire career (American Postal Workers Union).

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have never held elected office, but I was appointed by the membership to the NH Council for Youth with Chronic Conditions and the Gateways Family Support Council

Campaign website

Facebook: Regan Lamphier for Nashua Board of Education

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have been advocating for New Hampshire children and families - especially those with disabilities - for the last six years. I believe that my experiences as a mom and as an advocate will be a great addition to the Nashua Board of Education. I believe that every child should have access to a quality public education, and I look forward to providing thoughtful and fair representation on the BOE for all of the families of Nashua.

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

Decisions at the state level mean that public school funding is going to be very tight for the foreseeable future. The funding shortage affects every aspect of our school district, and undoubtedly will be the greatest challenge we face over the coming years. We are also in the midst of a teacher and paraprofessional shortage, and Nashua is unable to match the salaries of the towns around us. This is happening while we are facing the educational fallout from distance learning. These are extremely serious issues and there are no easy answers to meeting the moment with less than adequate funding. Our Board of Education must work together, and carefully consider every decision we make, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children of Nashua. I promise that I will take this great responsibility seriously, and that I will always remember I am there to work for you and your kids.

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

I respect and admire many of the other candidates. We have varying strengths and weaknesses because we all have different backgrounds and life stories. It is important to have those different viewpoints on any Board, but especially on the Board of Education.
My experiences as a mom are not typical at all. I was a teenage mother a long time ago, and I know how difficult that road can be. My second son showed me what it means to have a child with multiple serious disabilities. This is not a perspective commonly found on any Board of Education because caring for children with these types of disabilities is often all consuming.
Coming to terms with the death of my child made me fearless in many ways, and extremely determined to make a difference in the lives of other children. In addition, in my years of advocating, I have learned a great deal about healthy communication….which begins with treating others as you would like to be treated.
My work history is another thing that makes me different from more typical public servants. I have been employed by the US Postal Service for 23 years. My union career has taught me that working with a team is an essential part of reaching goals, and it is something I enjoy.
My education will also help me be a successful board member. I graduated from Merrimack College with a BA in history. More recently, I completed the prestigious Leadership Series run by the Institute on Disability and UNH, and I am trained as a Special Education Volunteer Advocate. I have the knowledge and the experience to be a great addition to the Board of Education.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

It is very disappointing that some office holders in our local, state, and federal government have chosen to ignore the science of the coronavirus pandemic. It puts all of us at risk, and it has caused an unacceptable degree of anger and division in our city and our country.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think our city did a good job responding to the pandemic. The Board of Alderman and the Board of Education have relied on advice and best practices from the CDC, our own state epidemiologist Dr Benjamin Chan, and the Nashua Division of Public Health.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My priorities include the following:

- Focus on the education and emotional well-being of students who have lived through the trauma of a pandemic.
- Reaffirming the trust between parents and the school district
- Acknowledging that teachers and paraprofessionals are the backbone of our schools

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

I have already spoken of my education, and my experience advocating for families in New Hampshire, so I will provide a more personal anecdote here: I worked full time on third shift while bringing up a teenager and a medically complex child. Then, after my son died, I made the decision to rebuild my life in a way that would honor his memory and help others. I am used to doing hard things. When I am faced with a problem, I have the strength and the determination to deal with it. I take my responsibilities to others very seriously, and I am passionate about what I believe in. The people of Nashua can rely on me to serve this city to the very best of my ability.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

You can’t always control what happens in your life, but only you get to decide how you will react.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

When the new middle school is complete, the schools will need to go through some redistricting. I am committed to making that a fair and equitable process.