Danbury Patch Candidate Profile: Mini Santosh For Board of Education

DANBURY, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name: Mini Santosh

What office are you seeking? Board of Education

What town do you live in? Danbury

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Occupation: Childcare Director/ Early Childhood Educator

Family: Yes, My family includes myself and my husband and two sons, older son a Computer science Engineer and younger son currently a Junior at Danbury High School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective: I currently serve as the Commissioner with Danbury Housing Authority

Why are you seeking this office? My reasons for running for Board of Education position is my desire in ensuring that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, have access to a high-quality education. This includes advocating for improved resources, better funding, closing achievement gaps, address systemic inequities, whether that involves racial, economic, or disability-based disparities and create inclusive curriculums which better support marginalized students, and design policies that foster diverse learning environments.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents which includes families and children with different needs, I look forward to absolutely address systemic inequities, whether that involves racial, economic, or disability-based disparities and create inclusive curriculums which better support marginalized students, and design policies that foster diverse learning environments.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I am a candidate who strongly believe that Education is an area where partisan politics should not interfere with decision-making. As a candidate I plan to express the importance of focusing on the needs of students and the community, rather than on party lines, reminding other Board members that the Board of Education is a place for collaboration rather than political battles. I consider it as a commitment to public service, with an emphasis on serving the community rather than personal or political gains. This perspective will help me on working collaboratively with other board members, teachers, parents, and community leaders to ensure that the interests of students are always prioritized.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign? Few other issues that I intend to address during my campaign and my reason to run for this position is to ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely. As a Board of Education member I will push for more transparency in school budgeting, advocating for more effective and fair allocation of resources to schools that need it the most. I look forward to seeing the Board being fiscally responsible with school funding and ensuring the proper use of resources in ways that directly benefit students making it a driving factor. I will also be advocating for better teacher compensation, professional development, and working conditions.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? My accomplishments include a prestigious career as an Early childhood Educator for the last 30 years, which includes sitting on the Advisory Boards of multiple agencies in this community that work with families with children.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? My sister who is also an Educator, who has witnessed my journey as an advocate for children for the last 30 years always advised and reminded me of Rita Pierson's statement "Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best they can possibly be"

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions? As a Educator and parent of this District for the last 25 years my positions are very clear, I believe in building stronger relationships between schools and the community, which will in turn foster stronger connections between schools and local communities, encouraging parental involvement, open communication, and collaborative initiatives. I also believe that the school board act in the best interests of students and are transparent in their decision-making, especially when it comes to budgeting, curriculum changes, and policy implementation.