Meet the Candidate: Mark Powers

Name: Mark Powers

Age: 37

How many years have you lived in Norton? 

4-1/2 years

How many children do you have in the Norton public schools? Do you have any children who previously attended Norton public schools or plan to send children to the Norton Public schools in the future? 

Two.  Daughter AnnCatherine, Age 9, 3rd grade.  Daughter Karalyn, Age 7, 1st grade.  Both at Solmonese.

What is your current involvement with the school district (PTO membership, volunteering, etc.)? 

I'm a member of the NHS Building Committee, so I'm actively involved in managing the project.  I'm also on the JC Solmonese Site Council, which is a small group of parents, teachers, and Principal Riitta Bolton that meets monthly to guide the School Improvement Plan and provide input on any current issues or needs affecting the school.  I'm a member of the Solmonese Parent Organization (SPO).  With the SPO, I've worked on the Fall Festival including the Cow Flop and the Hayride, I helped to construct the new playground, and helped decorate the school's Halloween Parade Float.

What is your day Job? If you are retired, what was your former job? 

I'm a construction superintendent for Mill Creek Residential Trust.

Why are you running for school committee?

I want to provide my kids, my friends' and neighbors' kids, and all the kids in Norton with the best education we can possibly provide.  That's it.  I have no personal agenda.  When I heard that Beth McManus was stepping away, I thought I could fill the void.  As a member of the High School Building Committee, the JC Solmonese Site Council, and the Solmonese Parent Organization, I've had the opportunity to meet and work with many of the people involved in running the schools and the Town government.  I am sure I can work cooperatively with the many good people we have in leadership positions to continue to improve our schools.

What makes you a better choice than your opponents? 

My kids are young and have many years ahead of them in the school system, which makes me highly motivated to make Norton Schools the best they can be.  I have substantial recent experience working with many of the people currently managing the schools, and co-operative relationships with those people.

What is the state of the school district? Are there problems that need fixing? If so, what would you do to fix them? 

The school district is in good shape.  The YES vote for the High School project created a strong groundswell of positive energy around the schools.  I look to build on that momentum.  The Middle School was recently recognized as a NELMS Spotlight School.  The addition of a hockey program at the High School is great for Norton.  We have many excellent teachers, coaches, and administrators, which is the foundation of a strong school system.  I think we can improve with an aggressive integration of mobile WiFi devices into the schools to give our kids the current skills that will help them to become especially valuable in the employment world. Technology is used in business to do work more efficiently and effectively, so we should use it as a tool to do the same with learning.  I would also like to reach out to the parents who choose to send their kids to the Charter School, and find out what they think is lacking in Norton Schools.

As a member of the school committee, you are one vote out of a group. How well do you work with others? What is your experience with productively working in a group? 

Both in Norton and at work, I spend every day working collaboratively with various groups.  I worked together with many people on the PRIDE Committee for the High School project YES vote, collaboratively writing flyers, placing signs, etc.  As an active participant at Town Meeting, and especially as a member of the Building Committee, I have met and worked with members of the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, High School Principal Megan Lafayette, School Superintendents Patricia Ansay and now Christopher Martes, Town Manager Mike Yunits, and others.  At JCS, I have worked frequently with Principal Riitta Bolton and all of the parents most active in the SPO.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

I coach both my daughters in soccer, and even played on a men's team as recently as 2012.  As a family, we like to ski, swim, and hike.  I especially enjoy the company of my neighbors around a fire pit in one of our backyards on cool spring & fall evenings.

Is there anything else we should know about you? 

My wife is a teacher at Sharon Middle School with 13 years experience, and having her as a resource is very valuable for purposes of understanding how various programs and policies affect the daily operations of a school.