Ready To Contribute

To the Editor:

My name is Kathy (Hamilton) Fetchick, a Newtown resident for more than a quarter-century, educated in the Newtown public schools, and a NHS Class of 1983 graduate. I’ve worked at United Technologies and a software firm called DataViz where my responsibilities included software development, project management, and product development.

For almost three years, I have been preparing to run for a position on the Board of Education by attending Board of Education meetings and any Legislative Council or Board of Finance meeting involving school issues. I’ve been involved with the Sandy Hook School PTA for three years, currently serving as the liaison between the SHS PTA and town boards. For the last year and a half, I have encouraged the first selectman to continue to pursue long-term strategic planning for Newtown. I am now co-chairing the long-term strategic planning committee for the town of Newtown.

In the future, the Board of Education must:

*Work with school administrators to maintain and improve  the quality of our schools while being responsible to every taxpayer. I believe program improvements don’t necessarily justify increasing funding.

*Communicate often and openly with town leaders, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community — this is key.

*Scrutinize state and federal mandates like No Child Left Behind, full-day kindergarten, high school curriculum reform and reforming the best program to determine how they will affect our community and our children.

My career experiences have provided me with skills to be an effective Board of Education member. I have immersed myself in learning about school issues, taken a step back to see how the Board of Education operates, and have gotten to know many town leaders to get a big picture perspective.  All of these things enable me to make contributions immediately.  Most importantly, this is my hometown, a community that has given so much to me and my family. I would be honored to have the opportunity to give back and serve all of Newtown’s residents on the Board of Education, so I humbly ask for your vote on Election Day.

Sincerely,

Kathy Fetchick

Republican Candidate for

 Board of Education

18 Clapboard Ridge Road, Sandy Hook        October 30, 2007