Anna Goulet Zimmerman Souhegan Cooperative School Board Candidate

Anna Goulet Zimmerman

Age (as of Election Day)

52

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Souhegan Cooperative School Board (3-year seat)

Party Affiliation

Running for a non-partisan position

Family

Married to Martin Goulet. Between us we have four children. Two older children who are grown and on their own; and two younger daughters that went through Souhegan. The elder of the two is now in her second year of college, while the younger will graduate from Souhegan this spring.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

BA from the University of Vermont in 1992, JD from University of Maine School of Law in 1995.

Occupation

I've worked as an attorney for the past 26 years, currently owning my own law firm in Manchester.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have been elected many years by my peers to serve on the Board of the New Hampshire Association for Justice (a state-wide organization of litigation attorneys). I was elected to several different executive positions, including serving as President for the 2016-2017 term.

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/AGZim...

Why are you seeking elective office?

When my youngest daughter came home crying about her Band instructor’s abrupt apparent resignation last fall, I started attending school board meetings and talking to parents, teachers and staff. I heard a consistent refrain that troubled me: Many teachers and staff in our schools are afraid. They are afraid to share their opinions, they are afraid to speak out, they are afraid to share any dissenting view for fear of retribution. Some may argue that these fears are not founded, or that it is only a few teachers and staff who feel this way. I can’t say everyone feels this way, but I know that too many do.

I also became more and more troubled by the top-heavy nature of our administration, and the seeming reluctance to push back against and/or question the superintendent's office. I think the school is stronger and better if both the superintendent and the board are strong. Nothing ever got better by simply rubber stamping what is brought to a board, but that happens all too frequently. I want the Souhegan Cooperative School Board to remember the foundation on which Souhegan High School was built - a school which valued diverse opinions and the input of all stakeholders, from the students, to the teachers, to administration, and to the community. I believe that this is the way power stays checked and balanced, and it is also the way that we can all work together to make Souhegan a school of rigor and excellence.

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

Transparency and accountability. By this I don't just mean with the community, but within the school, the Board the SAU and the administration. Teachers and students should know the metrics by which they are being judged and graded. Teachers and students should know that their input counts. When changes are proposed, the administration should be providing data to support the proposed changes, and the input of those who will be impacted should be sought and considered. An example that comes to mind is the proposed domain leaders. When I sent an open records request for documentation on the results in other school which we had considered, I was told the SAU had none. How can we even be considering asking tax payers to cover 5 new, highly-paid, positions which would only be teaching a couple of classes and otherwise just adding to the administrative overhead when we have no data to support such an implementation?

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

I’ve been a practicing attorney for 26 years. I am currently the sole owner of a small law firm in Manchester. This gives me a couple of advantages. One, I am responsible for all aspects of running that business, while also practicing law. I manage a million-dollar budget that HAS TO balance or my employees, and I, don’t get paid. This also means looking at long-term needs of the firm so that maintenance and improvements are done as we go, so we never hit the point where we need to figure out how to pay for a whole new building. Second, my legal background gives me the experience and willingness to speak up, ask questions, get answers, and, when necessary, hold people accountable for their actions.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A - the board position I am seeking does not have an incumbent who chose to run again.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I firmly believe in the Souhegan Mission Statement and the Souhegan Six. Souhegan High School aspires to be a community of learners born of respect, trust, and courage. This includes respect for everyone in the schools, a trust that I think needs to be rebuilt, and the courage to speak up. I believe I am the person that can help the Board focus on these fundamental values so Souhegan can be the truly excellent school it was designed to be.

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

I've been practicing law for 26 years. The first firm I worked with (in Texas) started with one office and expended to a state-wide practice. I was responsible for opening several offices, and managing four offices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I now manage my own law firm here in New Hampshire. In my law practice, I make strategic and tactical decisions, set policy and manage diverse stakeholder needs and wants. At work I balance these different roles, while staying laser focused on providing great legal services to our clients. I see this as analogous to what the board must do: Manage the SAU and balance the interests of the students, teachers, staff, and community, all while staying laser focused on providing an excellent education.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Speak truth to power. I've shared this same advice with others. This phrase may mean different things to different people, but to me it means to speak up for what you know is right, even when doing so might be difficult or unpopular. Conversely, when in a position of power I believe in seeking dialogue, listening, and being open to changing your own ideas.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’ve recently been reading Standards of Mind and Heart, Creating the Good High School by Peggy Silva and Robert Mackin, about the creation of Souhegan High School. At the end of the book, in the lessons learned from the birth of Souhegan High School, there was one quote that jumped out at me: “Democracy means giving a voice to all.” Souhegan is designed to be a collaboration, where dissenting voices are welcomed. An environment where teachers, staff, and students can voice concerns or dissenting opinions without fear of retribution. I think it is the Board’s job to make sure that we hear all the voices Souhegan has to offer. Simply rubber-stamping issues that come before the Board does not create excellence. It is only by asking tough questions and working together that we can make Souhegan High School all that it can be. Our students and town deserve nothing less.