Andrew Winters, Concord Board Of Education Candidate

Patch Candidate Profile, Andrew Winters

Age (as of Sept. 1, 2024)

50

Town or City of Residence

Concord

Position Sought

Concord School Board, At-Large

Family

I have been married to my wife, Sarah, for 14 years. We have two daughters: Madelyn, age 12 (7th grade at Rundlett), and Nora, age 8 (3rd grade at Abbott-Downing). Our experience with the Concord public schools has been outstanding.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No immediate family. My father is a retired patent judge (federal government). Several cousins are professors at public universities in other states.

Education

B.A. (Philosophy), Earlham College, 1996
J.D., Duke University, 1999

Occupation

Attorney, 25 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Concord Zoning Board, 2017- present (Full Member); 2013- 2017 (Alternate Member)

Campaign website

Website: https://winters4schoolboard.wixsite.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Winters-for-School-Board/61565538837524/
Email: winters4schoolboard@gmail.com

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

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is the middle school project and the highly unpopular decision to relocate it to Broken Ground. I stand for rescinding that vote and keeping the middle school at Rundlett.

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

My stance on the middle school project likely distinguishes me from some of the other candidates and may be seen by many as a litmus test issue. Additionally, I bring a unique skill set through my extensive legal training. My career revolves around carefully evaluating all sides of an issue and objectively weighing the evidence. This approach will enable me to make balanced, informed decisions for the community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am very concerned about the demographic trend of declining enrollment and the increasing cost per student. While I’m not advocating for immediate or rash budget cuts—since those aren’t feasible—I believe we need to take a hard look at long-term trends. We should make decisions now that will help us lower fixed costs in the future, ensuring the fiscal sustainability of our schools while maintaining a quality education.

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

I am most proud of the law office my partner and I founded in 2009. We have successfully grown the practice from two lawyers and one part-time assistant to seven lawyers, seven support staff, and three offices. Along the way, I’ve gained invaluable skills in running a small business, and one of my proudest achievements is creating and customizing a client management database that our entire team continues to use.

In my legal career, I have handled over 20 felony jury trials and an equal number of appeals to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. This intense work requires mastering a large volume of material, applying critical analysis, and thinking quickly on my feet.

All of these skills have prepared me to meet the challenges I will face on the school board.

The best advice ever shared with me was…

Occam's Razor: The simplest solution is the best solution until proven otherwise.

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

On a personal level, I struggled in school from a young age until the middle of college, when something finally clicked, and my performance improved considerably. Fortunately, my parents, along with a few key teachers, recognized my potential and encouraged me when many others might have given up. Looking back at my school years, I take away two important lessons: first, every child learns and progresses at their own pace and deserves individualized attention; and second, whatever I accomplish in life would not have been possible without the support of others. That's something that’s easy to forget sometimes.