Norwood 2022 Candidate Profile: Mark Whouley

NORWOOD, MA - Norwood voters will have a big choice to make in the School Committee race.

There are two seats up for election on Monday, April 4. Incumbent Joan Giblin is seeking reelection. There are four challengers in the mix: Tylor Tourville, Michael Condon, Mark Whouley and Katie Sibbing-Dunn.

To help voters get to know each candidate, Norwood Patch sent all five a questionnaire to probe their thoughts on school issues. Here's what Mark Whouley had to say.

Age as of Election Day: 52

Position sought: School Committee

Family: Wife Juliann, sons Matthew and Patrick

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife is a substitute teacher

Education: Bentley University 1992

Occupation: Firefighter for the City of Quincy, 19 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Town Meeting member since 2014

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/MarkW...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have served as a Town Meeting member for almost eight years. During this time, I have always wanted to do more for the community and looked at other areas of town government to serve, but the School Committee has always been an area of interest to me.

Paying close attention to the Committee and their decisions over the last several years, I knew that areas needed more representation, such as Special Education and, most recently, the school time change process. Mass Insight conducted an audit, and the results exposed the many issues that the special education program faces. These problems are fixable, and a solid plan with reasonable and achievable goals must be implemented. We must provide an equal education for all students in Norwood.

As for the school start times, the School Committee's focus was voting to implement the time change, and many people feel that the School Committee disregarded the effects this change would have on many families, teachers, and staff.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Communication is the most pressing issue; many I have spoken to over the last few weeks feel it is a problem. Communication is a two-way street. The School Committee has to develop a communication plan that helps bridge the gap that many feel exists between parents and the school district. This plan must always include the ability to translate the news or information to serve the entire school community. Families can and will benefit from frequent and timely communications from the district. The School Committee has to keep the line of communication open to hear the community. Parents, teachers, or students should not feel that they were prevented from expressing their concerns because procedures and protocols limited communication.

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

The critical difference is the knowledge and experiences that I have with dealing with the education of a special needs student. I would bring a unique perspective that would help the committee share how the decisions it makes or does not make will affect special education programs and, above all, the students and families. Effective leadership, innovative strategies, and proper support would help remedy many of the Mass Insight audit's issues recently exposed. The solutions to these issues will not come overnight, but starting the process will help us succeed.