To the Editor:

The last few weeks have been "rather interesting" for me. Because of a legal glitch, the Republicans could only endorse two candidates for the Board of Education instead of three. As a result, I switched to be a write-in to ensure voters still had a choice for the make-up for the Board of Education. The details are described by John Voket in his October 6 Newtown Bee article, "School Board Hopeful Joining Town Clerk Write-In Candidate On November Ballot."

As a write-in, my name will not appear on the ballot nor anywhere else within the polling place. Instead, it is on my shoulders to give you as much information as I can to encourage you to remember me as you vote on November 7.

I am a 15-year resident of Newtown and am a committed proponent of public schools. My daughters graduated from Newtown High School and are now active members of the scientific and high-tech communities. In addition, my experience growing up in a small town in the Adirondacks with a large extended family living close by showed me how public education helps those who make a variety of career choices, including the trades, the military, teaching, and other professions.

Why am I running?

I have an extensive background as a well-respected volunteer, serving on more than eight committees during the last 12 years. We will be facing tough decisions that need clear-headed people who are ardent proponents of education and who have the fortitude and doggedness to protect the quality of education we provide to our children. It is now time for me to step up again.

How will I make the School Board stronger?

1. I am fiscally responsible. Given the fiscal challenges that we will likely face in the next few years, we need to be smart about how we spend our money. I will focus on programs that continue to grow our educational quality for all students. I will also ensure that outside services we rely on are competitively priced and that we have the internal resources to manage them effectively.

2. I am results oriented. We need to ensure that our programs achieve what we expect. We need explicit goals and methods to measure whether those goals are being met. In addition, when we implement new programs, we need to take a critical look to understand and address any disruptions that the new programs may cause so that we do not compromise other aspects of our students' educational experience.

3. I am a public servant, not a politician. I am about as objective as they come and don't "play politics." To have a strong Board of Education, we need to focus on fact-based problem solving. That is my forte.

How can you vote for me?

Just remember "Deb Z for the BOE." (No need to remember my full name.) Then, fill in the bubble on 14D and write Deb Z nearby.

Deborra Zukowski

4 Cornfield Ridge Road, Newtown         October 18, 2017