To the Editor:

Over the last several months I have had the opportunity to work with Todd Higgins and Shannon Tomai, and have been immensely impressed with their character and their contributions to the Board of Education during that short time.

As BOE members, we strive to ensure that our students graduate with the ability to think critically and to converse thoughtfully with others who have differing perspectives. BOE members must be capable of modeling both. Todd and Shannon have done so.

In addition, Todd’s contributions to our policies, and in particular our new Selection of Library Media Resources policy, have been exceptional. And, Shannon’s contributions to the important though less visible nuts-and-bolts work — including contracts, facilities, and finance — have been insightful and constructive.

Both are parents who hope to continue to invest their time and talents for the long-term educational success of our schools. They are community members who understand the joys and challenges of our broad and diverse community. They listen, learn, collaborate, and are capable of making decisions focused on what is best for all of our students and members of our staff and community.

In today’s hyper-political climate having BOE members, like Todd Higgins and Shannon Tomai, who are capable of focusing on the substance of issues while ignoring political group-think is paramount. Our students need them. Our schools need them. And, our community needs them. Please join me in voting for them in the upcoming election.

I am speaking for myself and not for the Board of Education of which I am a member.

Deborra Zukowski

Newtown