Patch Candidate Profile: Patricia Moonan For Shelton Board Of Education

SHELTON, 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:

Patricia Moonan

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

What town do you live in?

Shelton

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Occupation:

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (20 years).

Family:

I have a son and two daughters and three grandchildren; ages 8, 4 and 3.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I have been on the Shelton Board of Education since November 2019.

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm running for the Shelton Board of Education because I personally received an excellent public school education from Kindergarten all the way through my undergraduate degree. It allowed me to pursue careers in law, banking and mental health. I want the students in Shelton to have the same educational experience I had. There is a saying that goes "when you get where you are going-turn around and help the next one in line." Running for my fourth term on this Board allows me to do this for the students of Shelton Schools.

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 is the chronic underfunding of education by the City of Shelton, as well as the threat of the dismantling of the Federal Department of Education that will adversely effect the funding of the Title I Grants. I intend to continue to work collaboratively with my fellow Board Members and City Officials to set forth fiscally responsible budgets that realistically fully fund education in Shelton. I will educate as well as encourage parents, teachers, students and Shelton residents to become involved in the budgeting process and to use the power of their voices to make their views be heard.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a unique resume that spans various careers. I have experience working as a paralegal in a Wall Street law firm. Having a legal background has been useful with negotiations between the various unions that represent the school employees and the BOE. I went through Key Bank's management training program and was a Corporate Lender at Chase Bank in Manhattan. This experience has provided me the financial background necessary to participate in the BOE budget process. My education and current work experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist gives me insight into the impact of systemic stressors on student mental health.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The Shelton Superintendent of Schools kicked off this school year with a video of well known people in the City expressing their thoughts on what the Shelton Public Schools mean to the community of the City of Shelton. I was recently visiting a town in the Midwest where students from all over the town from pre-school age on up marched in the high school's Homecoming Parade. Dance schools, pre school sports, youth sports, local churches and every school in that district decorated floats that followed a route around a nearby neighborhood. Spectators lining the route cheered as the kids went by. This is the sense of community the Shelton Superintendent was promoting at the beginning of the school year. I would like to be a part of making our students and schools more connected to our community. A community that has pride in it's schools supports and values the education of its youth and is more willing to support appropriately funding that education.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served on the Shelton Board of Education for six years. During that time, I have worked with three Superintendents and have experienced the struggles of providing and education to our students during a pandemic. I have worked with my fellow board members to produce fiscally responsible budgets to be presented to the City and have had to make hard decisions regarding budget cuts when budgets were not fully funded. I also rejoiced with very vocal parents, students and teachers last school year, when the Board of Alderman agreed to fully fund the BOE budget. I have seen this done once. It can be done again-if the community of Shelton comes together and make it be known that they want it.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To work hard and get a good education. They can take away your possessions and anything you hold of value but they can never take away your knowledge.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I see myself as a public servant. I work for you. Although being on the Board of Education is a volunteer position, I take the work seriously and prioritize attending and participating in General Meetings as well as the meetings of the sub committees I am assigned. I have and will continue to clear my work schedule to be a part of Union negotiations, attend the high school graduation and other school events.