Board Of Ed Candidate:

Why I Am Running

To the Editor:

I, Dan Shea, am proudly running for the BOE two-year seat. I came to Newtown 43 years ago because of the school district’s wonderful reputation. I am a retired high school English teacher with 35 years service and currently edit academic papers in the New Haven/Yale University communities. My two children attended Newtown schools K–12, college, and graduate school. My wife, Roberta, an art teacher/artist, is currently a Saint Rose rectory staff member and SCAN board member.

As a parent and an educator, I have the knowledge and sensitivity to contribute to the betterment of our schools. I am aware of the global competition our children face and would prepare them to respond effectively. Elected, I would examine the operational efficiency of our school system, assuring a smoothly running and streamlined educational framework. As the steward of our budget, our board must balance fiscal demands with current economic conditions. I will support our critical system initiatives, leveraging my research and organizational skills.

Newtown parents are concerned about the education of their children as am I. We both want Newtown schools to be great learning environments, with academic core values elevating each child to a level heretofore thought unreachable. As stakeholders in the education of our children, we must join hands to raise the bar as one if we are to succeed in offering our children quality educations.

My knowledge of public education and district issues, as well as community service and experience, has prepared me to serve Newtown’s children insightfully and effectively.

Daniel Stephen Shea

44 Queen Street, Newtown                                   September 12, 2011