Meet the Candidates: Kathy Halloran

(Editor's Note: Grafton Patch submitted a series of questions to the three School Committee candidates. Some of these questions were submitted by readers via Facebook. Kathy Halloran's answers are posted here. We encourage everyone to get out and vote May 15.)

Name:  Kathy Halloran

Address:  14 South St., Grafton

Age:  49 (for a few more weeks!)

Education:  B.S. in elementary education from Boston University; M.Ed. from Cambridge College

Relevant experience: I am a public educator by profession therefore I have an extensive knowledge base of the subject matter and issues we face; I have worked in accounting and have been a small business owner as well, so I understand what it means to have to make some difficult and perhaps unpopular budgetary decisions squeezing the most out of every dollar while keeping the big picture in perspective.

As an incumbent School Committee member I have firsthand experience balancing the financial resources and concerns of the town while focusing on providing the best possible education for all of our students; serving as the current Chairperson of the School Committee has given me the unique perspective and experience of working more closely with our new superintendent as we ready the district for unprecedented changes.

Should full-day kindergarten be mandatory or optional? 

Given that kindergarten is not mandatory in Massachusetts, I think that parents should maintain the right to make the decision they feel is right for their family, therefore I do not think that kindergarten should be mandatory. Having said that, since we will be offering full-day kindergarten for all children in the district as opposed to some districts who have limited available full-day seats, I would strongly encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity. As a public school teacher I have seen the direct educational and social benefits of children who participate in full-day kindergarten versus the challenges experienced by those who do not.

What is your position on school choice and how can Grafton maintain a position as a 'receiver' school system, rather than losing students and becoming a 'sender' school system?  

Inherent in the question is some erroneous information. Families anywhere in the Commonwealth, including Grafton, can at any time opt to send their child(ren) to any district that participates in school choice. Therefore we already are a “sender” district. This is not really impacted by whether or not we choose to participate in school choice.

We as a committee have already voted on this and I supported it. My position has not changed. The beauty of it is that we can decide from one year to the next whether we participate or not as a “receiver” district. We have never opted to participate before because of our space constraints. Once the new high school opens we will potentially have some “extra” space in the immediate near future.

Opening seats provides an opportunity for additional revenues for the district without adding any additional financial burden. That is why I am in favor of participating in school choice on a somewhat limited basis.

What should the School Committee’s top priority be right now? How about top five priorities?

I believe our top priority now and always is providing the best possible education for all of our children while balancing the financial resources and needs of the town. Period. Our current times are rather unique though, so I would say that we have the following additional priorities:

Communicate and collaborate with the administration, staff, students, and community …

to make the opening of the new high school and reorganization of the district as seamless as possible

through the rollout of the 1:1 technology initiative

through the implementation of the Common Core curriculum

in equipping our children with 21^st century learning skills

What are the three most important characteristics of a successful School Committee member?

Because we are the leaders in our educational community I believe our characteristics are exceptionally important. We must lead by positive example in all that we do, therefore the marks of a successful School Committee member should permeate daily life. These are: a strong work ethic, collaboration with others, and high personal standards that motivate ourselves, each other, and most importantly, our children.

I believe I have these characteristics because this is what I strive for every day. As a wife, mother, teacher, and citizen I work diligently to inspire and fan into flame the greatness of those around me. That is why I believe I am a successful School Committee member.  

How can voters learn more about you?

I can be reached:

By phone at 774.293.1398

By email at hallorank@grafton.k12.ma.us

Or you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kathy.bicknell.halloran