The turning point for Bruce Walczak in deciding to announce his Independent candidacy for Newtown’s Board of Education was the book challenge controversy that culminated in several heated school board meetings a few months ago. (See extensive coverage at newtownbee.com)

“It bothered me to see a political wedge issue playing in Newtown,” Walczak told The Newtown Bee in a recent interview. “It dominated and wasted an incredible amount of time the Board of Education could have used for student and faculty issues.”

Walczak felt members of both the local Democratic and Republican parties overreacted to the issue, as he saw that partisanship “seeping into both sides,” even on a board that has often in the past been viewed as bipartisan.

“This shouldn’t be happening in Newtown,” said Walczak.

Walczak became a member of the Independent Party 12 years ago and has served as both its statewide leader, and the party’s candidate for the 5th US Congressional District in 2020.

He has watched over the last year as the “board has become more polarized” — and admitted he was “embarrassed to see people act that way” [ during the meetings on the book challenges].

“It’s led me to believe there is a lack of leadership on the BOE,” said Walczak. “Someone could have stopped it earlier, put their foot down. There was a policy in place and experts to handle it. There is a good process and procedures to do that job.”

Also concerning to Walczak was the fact that both books under challenge, Blankets and Flamer, hadn’t been checked out recently by students.

“It was disappointing to find out that this was all just a national wedge issue,” said Walczak. “It was a made-up issue to get attention in Newtown. I get the philosophical argument, but what prompted it here in Newtown?”

Walczak said that as an Independent, and not a candidate with one of the two major local parties, he is not coming to the campaign “with a prescripted set of issues or solutions.”

“It gives me the ability to look at things from both angles, and take the position that is right for the kids, staff, and Newtown taxpayers,” said Walczak. “The major party candidates are beholden to their parties.”

Walczak doesn’t think it’s “partisan to hold beliefs,” but he said his are rooted in a non-partisan viewpoint. He believes in “collaboration and compromise as warranted.”

He said, “the current level of partisanship in governance is not beneficial to society nor Newtown,” and “continuing to strengthen [the town’s] education program is good for Newtown.”

He said while he supports education, he wants to ensure the town “spends its money wisely.”

“I believe social history should be discussed honestly and appropriately in and out of school,” said Walczak. “I support the goal of helping diverse populations participate equally in society. I believe in climate change and the need to act. I believe that parents can decide what books they do not want their children to read.

“I don’t believe parents can dictate to other parents what books their children can access. I’m not so sure about forgiving student debt, [I’m] still learning about the complicated issues and solutions,” he added. “I believe school administrators and elected Board of Education members need to constantly seek parents’ and residents’ opinions. Everyone deserves to be heard.”

Walczak said it’s “tough to run as an Independent,” as candidates can only spend $1,000 on their campaign. While party members can pool their money to support their candidates as a group, Walczak as an independent is limited to that $1,000 cap.

He noted that Newtown has approximately 20,000 registered voters, and Walczak’s campaign literature reflects that among those voters, only 28 percent are represented respectively by either of the two major parties.

“Over 40 percent of the voters have no elected representation on the Board of Education,” said Walczak.

“I am asking Republicans, Democrats, Independent and unaffiliated voters to support me,” he continued. “Bringing party diversity to the Board of Education will help ensure that issues are decided based on their merits, not the positions the major parties make. My focus will be on the needs of our students, staff and the residents of Newtown.”

The November 7 election offers voters candidates for five of the seven seats on the Board of Education. According to the state statutes and the Newtown Charter, neither major party can elect more than three candidates. Voters have the option of voting for five.

“I’m asking for one of those votes,” said Walczak.

Walczak is president and co-owner of Advantage Relocation Consultants Inc. ARCI provides a wide array of relocation services including specialized destination services for domestic and international employees in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey metropolitan area; affinity cash back programs; policy and expense control consulting; and move management services.

Prior to his purchase of RCI, Walczak was vice president of sales and marketing for Fidelity Residential Solutions, senior vice president of home ownership service for Prudential Real Estate and Relocation, and president destination services for PHH Homequity.

Walczak began his career in relocation in 1971. He is a senior certified relocation professional (SCRP), and global mobility specialist (GMS), and has been awarded four distinguished service awards by the Employee Relocation Council (ERC), placing him in the ERC Hall of Leaders —one of only 31 individuals so honored.

Walczak was treasurer and then president of the Newtown Family Counseling Center (now Newtown Youth and Family Services); a past president of the Newtown Lions Club and a current vice president, a member of the board and initiated the eye screening program; is currently serving on the Economic Development Commission; is on the Newtown Business Advisory Council; and is a former member of the Police Commission; among other community volunteer initiatives.

Walczak has lived in Newtown for 37 years, and two of his children attended Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.