School Board Candidate Heather Petro Discusses Campaign

Windham School Board candidate Heather Petro said that a run for school board seemed like the logical next step in her involvement with the schools, especially following her involvement with the most recent facilities master plan committee. 

Having first-hand knowledge of that facility planning, Petro is able to offer a confident stance on what direction the board should go toward solving the growing school overcrowding problem.

She said that not only is a "yes vote" needed for the architecture and engineering fees for a new London Bridge Road facility, but she also wants to see that changed to incorporate more capacity.

"Sixth through eighth grade would be preferable," said Petro.

Currently, the warrant doesn't mention involving the sixth grade.

Should that warrant pass, she asserted that she would spend the next 12 months educating the public about why it is a good investment for Windham before a bond would potentially appear on the 2013 ballot.

Petro spoke about the unique nature of Windham's growth to explain why a new school needs to happen now.

"We have gone from a small town to what I consider a sizable town in a very short period of time," she said.

According to Petro, any big bond efforts will require a clear and dependable communication strategy – which she thinks she can impact for the better should she be elected.

"I have a real respect for the Democratic process and for people to be informed and to be able to make informed decisions," said Petro. "People are far too busy to seek (information) out, so let's give them the information that they need."

Increased communication is the platform she is going off since her decision last week to throw her hat into the ring, and it was also what motivated her to start Windham Link, an independent organization unaffiliated with the district and devoted to delivering immediate information to the public.

To date, Petro said she has gone from a database of 200 to 450 email subscribers.

As for adjusting to her first time being a candidate for an official position, Petro said it's been fun but there's a lot to do.

"The phone rings a lot," she said.

She also talked about all of the contact she has made with people in Windham, who are already telling her things they want her to do and don't want her to do.

She is currently in the midst of ordering campaign signs, and joked that she has to get a t-shirt that reads "I am Heather Petro."

Petro also made it clear that she hasn't been nervous or worried about her first campaign.

"It feels like I'm going in the right direction, she said. 

Petro will be at the annual candidate's night, which is scheduled to take place on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at Windham Town Hall.

She also plans on stopping by a Board of Selectmen meeting to introduce herself in the next month.

Petro will continue to blog for Patch leading up to the election, and has also built a candidate website which can be found here.