Earlier this month, we sent Q&As to the Democratic and Republican Town Committees. Our goal was to give the candidates for the Board of Education (BOE) a chance to respond with their thoughts and speak directly to all of Stafford. The Republicans chose not to answer.
The next installment of our Candidate Q&A series comes from James Greene, who is running for the BOE. Read on to learn more about Greene and his priorities as a selectman.
Q: There are many boards and commissions in Stafford. Why have you chosen to run for the Board of Education specifically?
A: Since moving to Stafford in 2016, I've witnessed the exceptional education my daughters, Talyah and Kol, have received. I am driven by the motivation to ensure this excellence is maintained throughout the entire district while being cost-effective for the community. My choice to settle in Stafford was influenced by the potential I saw for my children to excel in a smaller town with outstanding schools. I have been involved in the Stafford Music and Drama Boosters and serve as a parent representative to the district’s equity and inclusion committee. I believe that the success of our town will be built upon the success of our schools. I want to be part of that growth for my children and for this town that has become our home.
I chose to run for Board of Education after the last budget process. I saw first-hand the challenges our teachers were facing to provide an excellent education without the necessary resources. And at the same time, many residents in town aren’t able to fully engage in the budget process until it comes up for a vote. I hope that we can work with community members, the Board of Finance, and the Board of Selectmen to ensure that the budgeting process is accessible and transparent and that we can provide more stability for the schools and our town in the years ahead. A seat on the Board of Education would allow me to make a meaningful difference to the town that we call home and the community that supports my family.
Q: The education budget has been at the top of everyone’s minds lately. How will you approach the challenge of ensuring students have what they need while keeping the budget challenges in mind?
A: In my professional capacity as the CEO of Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts and my two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, I've consistently emphasized fiscal responsibility. I am adept at managing large budgets, writing grants, cultivating donors, leading teams, and strategically guiding my staff. My aim is always to ensure that community resources are thoughtfully utilized and effectively allocated. Drawing upon these skills, I plan to approach the education budget by balancing our pursuit of excellence with prudent financial decision-making. This is particularly true with special funding from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds running out and more of those dollars returning to the regular budget. Our budget challenges are going to get more complex in the years ahead, and we need strong leadership to help us navigate them successfully.
I believe that if we want to set a budget that makes sense, we must first get a stronger handle on how our current spending meets the strategic goals of our district and how it impacts our students and district staff. From there, like all families do, we need to prioritize where we invest and look for places where we can find positive impacts. But, the investment in our schools has a strong return for our town as a whole. Stafford schools are a draw to potential residents, who prioritize smaller classrooms and strong educational offerings offered in our town. A strong school system will draw in new residents, increase tax revenues, and support businesses that will want to service our residents.
Finally, I think our school district should be actively pursuing grant funding from federal, state, and private funders. It is an important pathway to bridge the gap between what our residents can afford in taxes and providing the services our students need to be successful. This is a particular area of interest and, given my nonprofit background, is a place where I believe I have something unique to contribute to the Board of Education.
Q: If you could achieve one thing during your time on the Board of Education, what would it be?
A: Schools certainly prepare students for further education and the workforce, but there is more to it than that. We also ask our schools to help develop our students’ sense of self, build a positive identity, and help them discover their potential. Ensuring that extra-curricular activities, like drama and sports, are available for all students helps each person identify life-long passions. Having after-school clubs allows our young people to explore hobbies and interests while developing skills they wouldn’t learn in conventional classes. In short, we want our schools to develop the whole person.
During my tenure on the Board of Education, my primary goal would be to create a nurturing environment where every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the chance to thrive and attain their utmost potential. I look forward to working with parents, teachers, and administrators to continue to build an inclusive culture that prioritizes a sense of belonging and an ability for all individuals to see themselves as integral to the success of our school district.
[Responses have been very lightly edited for clarity, typos, etc., but the answers are primarily as the candidates wrote them.]
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