Patch Candidate Profile: Leny K. Wallen-Friedman For Region 9 School Board

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:
Leny K. Wallen-Friedman

What office are you seeking?
Region 9 School Board

What town do you live in?
Easton

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
I am currently retired. Previously I was a business litigation attorney.

Family:
Yes. My wife and I have been married for 41 years. We have three children, ages 35, 33 and 22. My wife is a retired physician and I am a retired attorney. Our two oldest children live in Norwalk and our youngest is in medical school in the Bronx.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I previously served for ten years on the Edina School Board. For several of those years I was the board chair and worked closely with the Superintendent and the school board. Edina is a high performing district with 8000 plus students and a budget in excess of $100,000,000.

Why are you seeking this office?
I have a significant background in school board governance, having served ten years on my local school board back in Minnesota. I ran for school board years ago and am running again because I believe strongly in giving back to the community and I have the expertise and experience to make a meaningful contribution to the Region 9 Board of Education.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The rising cost of special education. It is not reasonable for the costs associated with special education to be borne by individual school districts. My goal is to have the state take over any costs in excess of a threshold amount so that the costs for special education would be covered by the state as a whole rather than individual districts.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I bring a combination of experience and outside perspective that no other candidate brings to Easton. Before moving to Easton I served ten years on my local school district's School Board and for ten years before that I served as a community volunteer on the school district's Finance Committee. Those twenty years working with the school district provide me with significant relevant experience. In addition, my experience in another district brings an outside perspective that is unique, healthy and beneficial to Easton.

Beyond my school board work, I practiced business litigation for over thirty years and before that graduated with a major in Finance. This background gives me the unique ability to analyze issues before the board and to assist in addressing any financial issues the district may face.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
The key to being an effective school board member is to understand the role of the school board and focus on the district as a whole. Individuals who run for school board with a desire to fix a specific issue sometimes lose sight of the fact that they have been elected to represent the entire district.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
While on the Edina School Board I helped draft a strategic plan that focused on academic excellence and a commitment to equity. I strongly supported and was instrumental in the district opening a Spanish Immersion program in one of our elementary schools. I also worked on a significant capital program that strengthened the district’s science programs at the middle and high school levels, created collaborative space in all schools and moved the 9th grade to the high school building. In addition, while chair of the school board I worked closely with the Superintendent and the entire board to make sure all objectives were accomplished.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Listen to what people have to say.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
My mother was a teacher who stressed the importance of education and the importance of giving back to the community. Over my years in Minnesota, I coached more than a dozen youth baseball teams and more than a dozen youth soccer teams, served as a volunteer on the school board Finance Committee for ten years, was the Treasurer for the elementary school PTO and volunteered with the Scouts.

While on the school board I served at various times on our Policy Committee, the Teaching and Learning Committee, the Finance Committee, the HR Committee, and the Governance Committee. This work gave me experience in all facets of the school district and the role of a school board member. My peers on the school board elected me multiple times to be the Chair of the School Board. In addition, the community elected me on three separate occasions to serve on the school board.

I am a retired litigation attorney. I bring an analytical and legal mindset that is important for school board members as they weigh the pros and cons of a particular decision. I would be honored to have your support in this upcoming election.