Interim Board of Education Member Todd Higgins identifies himself as “an evidence-based, logic-based, reason-based, problem-solver, doer,” and a parent to six.

The Queens, N.Y. native described “very difficult beginnings,” with “adversity, poverty and dysfunction.” He said he started working at age ten, and dropped out of high school at 14, later getting his GED, and eventually becoming a lawyer.

Higgins said he believes in both the power of education and work as vehicles for empowerment, having balanced education and work his entire life. In doing course work for a PhD in political science, he taught as an adjunct at the University of Connecticut.

“I taught for the same reason why a lot of people are drawn to the profession,” Higgins said. “It’s probably the most noble work you can do, to help foster growth in other people.”

He added becoming an adjunct was a way to apply what he learned in life to pay it forward, and confirmed his motives for joining the board were in the same vein.

“It was a unique opportunity to perform service using the skills I have developed over the course of a pretty long career for something that is a fundamental good,” said Higgins, who does not have prior history of appointed or elected municipal service.

He said he had opportunities to do public good without having to “suffer” what he found “distasteful” about politics, and added he knew he would come back to the idea if he found a pathway that wouldn’t compromise his integrity.

“To me, being involved locally is the best available option of keeping the politics to the minimum and focusing on doing good, which is why I agreed to do this,” said Higgins.

“I’m always going to be about doing the right thing and I don’t really mind who it’s going to upset,” said Higgins. “If you do the right thing long enough, it’s going to upset everybody.”

Higgins said he would like Newtown citizens to know he is honest, believes in transparency, and will do everything in his power to deliver solutions when facing tough issues.

Higgins said he often unites people around plans of execution, and leads without alienating others. He also said toward the end of his career, he became a trained arbitrator and mediator.

Besides serving on the Board of Education, Higgins is “serving” the Newtown community in another way with his new business venture. The Sandbox, located on South Main Street, is the first restaurant he has owned — an enterprise he built from scratch.

“For me, The Sandbox doesn’t take any particular effort because I consider it the most authentic expression of who I am,” he said, also commenting on features of the brand’s encouraging messaging and attributes. “If you want to know who I am, it’s on display every day at The Sandbox.”

According to Higgins, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill was the most influential book he has ever read, helping him pivot his life as a 24-year-old.

“Think and Grow Rich, despite the notion of richness, is really not about money, it’s really about the relationship between what you think and what happens in your life,” Higgins said, explaining it was “a mindset book” that compares successful industrialists, distilling them to what they share in common.

He realized then that he wanted to finish college, sold his possessions and “never looked back” to his unsatisfying job in finance, despite the monetary success it brought.

The school board member shared his thoughts on the town he serves, as well, saying “Newtown represents everything that is good about community,” including the best part of a small town, with resources, opportunity and growth.

He added Newtown, and towns like it, are “special,” and the heart of our country; adding that he was never disappointed after moving here eight years ago.

“I believe in Newtown and I believe in the potential of Newtown. I think Newtown is great,” said Higgins.

Both Higgins and fellow interim member, Shannon Tomai indicated they are seeking GOP caucus support July 25 for ballot positions in the local November elections.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.