Meet the Candidates: Peter Carlson

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

Name:  Peter R. Carlson

Address: 11 Grist Mill Road                      

Age: 38                      

Education: Graduate of Grafton High class 1992, UMASS Amherst concentration in Music Communications 1994-1996, Clark University Certificate program for MCSE 4.x & CNE version 4.X Operating Systems 1997, Northeastern University Computer Engineering and Technology 1999-2001

Relevant experience:

So much has been accomplished during the past three years as a member of the Grafton School Committee. During my first year, the town generously approved to begin and build a new High School to meet the school district’s long-term goals meeting our schools’ capacity needs.

Due to the announcement of the retirement of Dr. Joseph Connors in my second year, we had to hire a new superintendent. It was this year that we hired Dr James Cummings as Grafton’s new educational leader, and I am happy to say that we made a good decision in choosing Dr. Cummings. 

Also during my second year, I accepted an additional role in the newly formed Capital Improvement Committee. During my third year, Dr. Cummings had presented to all the school committee members a plan to bring on full day kindergarten, redistrict most of the school grades in new locations, and open the high school with fiscally responsible funding.

It has been fulfilling to successfully meet these challenges, and to work as a team member to bring about so much significant change in such a short amount of time.  I look forward to future challenges on the School Committee. The one in particular that I have a keen interest in is the Strategic Plan. It will be this plan that will augment and re-shape the direction in which the Grafton School District will deliver education to our students on all levels. This Strategic Plan will now include new initiatives with technology that has never been available before. With the new technology, the redistricting of grades, and the new high school, we are now better able to examine the next five years through a different lens. 

I will use my 15 years of experience in information technology, consulting, and management to continue to work on initiatives and advocate for all the students in Grafton for a brighter educational experience. It is in this capacity that I will best serve the town’s interest in overseeing Grafton’s educational future and to ensure that we as a town can do everything possible to continue to improve all the delivery of education

Should full-day kindergarten be mandatory or optional?

Full-day kindergarten by Massachusetts General Law is optional for any child in the State of Massachusetts. Formal education in Massachusetts starts for children when they become 6 years of age on or before Sept. 1 for first grade.  Although this is the law, I think that if any district offers full-day Kindergarten, parents should consider enrolling their child, because when the student enters first grade with a district that has full-day kindergarten the curriculum is based on that going forward. 

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?

School choice is a law that allows parents and or guardians of school age children to decide where the student prefers to attend school. Nonetheless, in order for any district to keep its students within the district, it should be a yearly study that the administration conducts to determine whether or not our schools are providing the right formula for student engagement in all programs.   

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

The school committee’s top priorities should be;

The successful implementation of full-day kindergarten

Developing and approving a balanced budget for FY2014

Advocating for additional educational tools and talent

Opening a new high school and,

Developing a new strategic plan that drives our educational program for the next five years.

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

While there are many important characteristics that make up a successful School Committee member, the three that come to mind are openness to criticism and praise, professional demeanor with staff and other committee members and effective communications.

How can voters learn more about you?

Phone and email are the best way to reach me. I can also be reached through my Facebook and LinkedIn accounts.

Phone: 508-839-1176

E-mail: peter.carlson@SuburbanGroup.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/peter.r.carlson

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/petercarlson