Get To Know Braintree School Committee Candidate Joseph Fogarty

BRAINTREE, MA — Local elections in Braintree are less than a month away, and Patch is determined to help residents get to know their candidates for council, mayor and school committee.

Patch has sent candidate questionnaires to each of the candidates that will appear on the ballot in a contested race for each of those three positions.

Joseph Fogarty is running for a seat on Braintree's School Committee. Find out why he's running in this year's local election:

Name

Joseph M. Fogarty

How old will you be as of Election Day?

43

What city or town do you live in?

Braintree, MA

What office are you seeking?

Braintree School Committee

Education.

Juris Doctor degree (law degree), Master’s Degree in Education, Batchelor’s of Arts Degree in Philosophy

What is your occupation?

Attorney (9 years)

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I am married to my wife Stacy. I have two children, ages 10 months and 5 years old.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I do not have any relatives that work in or for the Town of Braintree

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am a parent of a child in the Braintree Public Schools. I believe that a well-funded and robust public school system will benefit all residents of Braintree by improving the educational experience of Braintree’s children and increasing property values.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing my constituents with regard to the school system is a lack of adequate funds to address infrastructure problems and to maintain adequate staffing levels. I intend to advocate for increased funding to the school system, work toward strategic and long-term plans for infrastructure improvement, promote data driven policies to improve student learning and safety, improve transparency and communication between the district and parents, and work to support school faculty by getting them what they need to do their jobs well.

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

I have nearly a decade of experience working as a teacher at a public high school in Massachusetts.

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

In addition to working to improve infrastructure and staffing levels, and advocating for additional funding for the school system, I intend to focus on increasing the school district’s transparency, improving communication between the district and parents, and promoting policies that enhance the safety of teachers and students in the schools.

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

I have been an attorney at a major civil litigation law firm in Boston for the past eight years, worked as a judicial law clerk at the Massachusetts Superior Court, and worked as a high school teacher at a Massachusetts public school for nearly a decade. I have a law degree and a master’s degree in education. In the past, I held Massachusetts educator’s licensure in special education and history. My experience as a lawyer and K-12 educator will serve me well if I am elected to the school committee.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Sometimes the smartest answer to a question is “I don’t know.”

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

I am a hard worker and have extensive experience as an attorney and educator. I have the knowledge and experience to do the job. I am also a devoted father of two children, one of which is a current student in the Braintree Public Schools. I want to improve the school system for the sake of Braintree’s children, including my own.