Patch Candidate Profile: Carolyn Oppenheim For Region 9 Board Of Education

EASTON, 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:
Carolyn Oppenheim

What office are you seeking?
Region 9 Board of Education

What town do you live in?
Easton

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Catering Manager

Family:
I have three children, Sophomore, a senior and a Sophomore in college. Like most families, they are three different kids with three different personalities and strengths - One is an NCAA podium athlete, one a celebrated artist currently on fellowship, and one is an award winning speaker and debater.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
My husband is a federal employee working for the DOJ.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I have spent the last three years on the Easton Parks and Rec commission, working closely with committee members across the aisle to assess the town needs and protect assets and programming.

Why are you seeking this office?
I have been advocating for education and participating in dialogue with the Boards of Education since my now Senior wound up with 25 kids in his Kindergarten class 12 years ago. I believe strongly that our schools are the biggest asset of our towns; Struggles to get kids back on track after COVID continue, and creative solutions to meeting the needs of ALL students is imperative.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
I believe strongly that our schools are the biggest asset of our towns; Of course we want the best for Easton’s kids, that should go without saying. But strong schools are not only for families, it helps property value and we all benefit from young people who are educated, critical thinkers. Struggles to get kids back on track after COVID continue, and finding creative and cost effective solutions to meeting the needs of ALL students is imperative.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Having 3 children with three unique sets of needs currently or recently in the schools, I have first hand knowledge of this district. I have been through the special education system, I have a graduated athlete whose team was woefully underfunded, and I know what it’s like to try to push for more rigorous programming and support for a gifted child. I feel I can truly understand what so many of today’s parents and our students are going through. I am living it!

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
If elected to the Region 9 board, I would be a strong supporter of new initiatives that position our kids to succeed both in college and in vocational programs, and for improvements that benefit our special needs students and athletic programs in which 70% of Barlow students participate. I know there are challenges ahead, especially because the federal cuts to our budget that have already been announced may only be the tip of the iceberg. I believe we can navigate them through a fair budget process that enables parents to be heard AND supports our educators. We need to attract and retain great teachers. We should not be losing them to other districts. One of the best ways we can support our teachers is to firmly resist any outside pressures to change how our teachers teach, especially subjects like history and science.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I believe I have the distinction of being the parent in the district who has attended the most school board meetings during the past 12 years. I have seen 12 budget cycles and 4 district Superintendents. I’ve watched our school board resolve complex issues with bipartisanship we should all be proud of, especially since boards in so many small towns have been consumed by divisive political issues.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Show up. It sounds simple, but not everybody does it. Be there for your family. Be there for your kids. Be there for your school. Be there for your friends. Be there for your community.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
ER9 focuses on 5 things our graduates need to be: engaged community members, creative thinkers, reflective learners, expressive communicators, and (I believe most importantly) critical thinkers. Giving our schools what they need to foster these qualities to be prepared for their future, whether it’s at college or in the workforce, should be the goal for all. Finding ways to do that while keeping our town’s needs in the forefront is mine.