2025 Patch Candidate Profiles: James Greene, Stafford Board Of Education

STAFFORD, CT — James Greene is running for a school board seat in Stafford.

Candidate's Name:
James Greene

What office are you seeking?
Board of Education

What town do you live in?
Stafford Springs

Campaign Website
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Party Affiliation:
Democratic

Occupation:
Nonprofit Executive - 18 years

Family:
My wife, Jen, and I have two daughters who are students at Stafford High School. We are also DCF-licensed foster parents and have fostered several children in our home over the years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
NA

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I am an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals and was previously a member of the Conservation Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?
I learned from an early age that if you wanted things to be better and different, that you couldn’t just complain. You had to be willing to step up and get your hands dirty. Over the past two years, I have watched as the trust and partnership broke down between the Board of Education, Board of Finance, and Board of Selectmen. This working relationship is critical to the success of our town and the good function of our government, and we saw the impacts of this toxic relationship during the budget process. The need for new leadership on the Board of Education is paramount to moving forward. There is too much work to do and we have been bogged down for far too long by a lack of transparency and partnership that goes in both directions. My hope is to be part of a Board of Education that will reinvest in these important relationships and reinvigorate a collaborative spirit that is needed for our schools and town to be successful moving forward.
I believe that our schools represent the best vision of what Connecticut can be, and what our town strives to be. My daughters have thrived in the district, and I am running for the Board of Education to be part of the process that helps every student succeed. I believe deeply in the principles of equity and inclusion that guide the work of educators in Stafford and want to support the educators who bring those values to life.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
I believe the most critical issue we face is rebuilding trust across the Boards of Finance, Selectmen, and Education. That breakdown in communication and trust was on full display in this year’s budget process and must get better in order for us to move forward as a town.
The recent budget challenges have also led to a significant morale problem for staff and administration across the school district. Addressing this, and the staff retention problems it creates, is key to having a positive school experience for all students and staff.
Finally, we need to ensure that our curriculum is supporting all learners and encouraging students to stay in district. When students choose to go outside of our district it takes critical resources away from our schools and makes the budgeting process that much harder.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
We are lucky to have many good people in Stafford who want to support our schools. However, I simply believe that new leadership is required on the Board of Education to move past the toxic relationships that have developed over the past few years. While I respect and appreciate the service of those candidates who are running for reelection, it is time for new people to step forward so we can have the positive change we need as a community.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Spending the last two decades in the nonprofit world gives me a unique perspective on public service. My professional work is connected to similar goals and values, and I am accustomed to the budgeting, public communications, and community organizing processes that make for successful public services. My work in human services has provided unique opportunities to engage with school leadership, state and federal education services, and local government. Additionally, I have a strong background in fundraising and grant writing, audits, and transparent communications that have been challenges with the Board of Education over the last number of years.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
While I love many things about my work and am proud of what I have accomplished professionally, the most important role I have is as a parent. In raising my daughters, I know that I am contributing to the future of our community, and helping to build the world that I aspire to live in. In my work, I have been privileged to support communities in complex and challenging moments. Guiding my nonprofit through the COVID-19 pandemic and working with our partners to ensure that we could provide services that families needed was deeply meaningful. And in my role as a rabbi and spiritual leader, I also have the privilege of supporting families in difficult moments of loss and grief. Journeying alongside them through the mourning rituals feels particularly important.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
In Stafford, I have the privilege of serving as a volunteer first responder. When I was taking my EMT class and learning how to ride on the ambulance, one of the first lessons of patient care I learned from my mentor, Cathy, is that we have to understand "why" someone is experiencing an issue, not just know "what" is happening to them. Caring for someone is more than gathering a list of symptoms and performing specific tasks. It is about decoding and making sense of what is happening around us.
What is happening in our community matters. But the best way for us to support the community is through curiosity about why an issue is presenting itself. Rather than simply rushing to solve a problem, being an engaged listener is key to trying to look beyond this moment and really work to solve the challenges we face.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I grew up in a military family that believed in service to the community and valued the opportunity to give back. Throughout my career I have seen how the individual contributions of people make a tremendous difference. My family was welcomed into Stafford, and I have been fortunate to call this town home for nearly a decade. I know that if we want things to be better, that we all need to pull up our sleeves and contribute what we can. That abundance mentality is what drives my desire to serve.