To the Editor:

I am seeking to run for the Board of Education as a registered Independent. I believe it’s time to end the partisanship demonstrated by the Board over the last few months. It has become clear to me that partisan politics has no role in the governance of Newtown. The current Board has 7 members, all members of the two major parties.

Recent votes saw all members of both parties voting repeatedly and exclusively for their partisan position. Partisan politics is no way to do the right things the right way. The role of elected officials should be to make the best possible decision for the greater good of Newtown’s residents. The merits of the issues demand objective study and making the right decisions for all residents, not just those of one party or the other.

Newtown has approximately 20,000 registered voters and out of 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.

According to the League of Women Voters in March of this year, “In general, non-partisan refers to a person or organization that takes a position on a particular issue based on what they see as the merits of the issue, after rational analysis. In contrast, a partisan person or organization takes a position on a particular issue because that is the position their political party takes.”

I changed my registration to Independent over a decade ago and strongly support the above statement. I will support decisions based on the merits of the issues. That means seeking consensus on issues and working with all members of the Board of Education.

The Board of Education needs to focus on our students and taxpayers who make our outstanding educational program possible. Our focus should be on supporting student learning, mental health, and the development of good citizenship. Our teachers and administrative staff depend on our support in accomplishing these goals. The focus should be on improving the progress we have made to date, not divisive national partisan issues.

I will work with the Board to bring our community together and strive to strengthen and continually improve our school system.

The upcoming election on Nov 7 has five positions open on the Board of Education. According to the State Statutes and our charter neither major party can elect more than three candidates. Voters have the option of voting for five candidates.

I’m asking for one of those votes. I am asking Republicans, Democrats, Independent and unaffiliated voters to support me. 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.

Most importantly, I’m asking that all registered voters come out on Nov 7th and Vote. Be involved and make your voice heard. Let’s make democracy work for all of us.

Bruce Walczak

Newtown