Ridgefield Candidates '97
Board of Education

Mary Pat Devine

A Successful School Board

The following statement was published in The Ridgefield Press on October 9, 1997:

Why does it take our Board of Ed so long to accomplish so little? That was one of the questions that led me to a workshop for candidates conducted by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education in late September.

I went with my Democratic ballot-mate Mary Miller and Republican candidate Maureen Kozlark. The room was filled with some forty of us, from twenty towns across Connecticut. Experienced hands offered their non-partisan expertise and advice.

As we listened to the descriptions of the qualities needed for a good board member, we Ridgefielders looked at each other and shook our heads. No wonder nothing ever gets done with our present board! An effective board member "works cooperatively," and "treats all members with respect."

There's no place for "Lone Rangers" acting on their own, the workshop reminded us, "Only the board as a whole has authority." It warned us to "be sensitive to hidden agendas," to "follow policy and avoid long meetings."

"Keep cool, " the experts said, "How you conduct yourself is as important as what you say or do."

Commandments for new board members included:

• Avoid personality conflicts
• Publicly support the superintendent
• Be informed
• Be open-minded
• Be a leader

The workshop's ideals are a planet apart from Ridgefield's bickering, bogged-down Board of Education.

It doesn't have to be the way it's been. It's time for a change. It's time for a new board that puts education over egos and accomplishments over acrimony. I ask for your support on November 4th.

Contributions to Ms. Devine's campaign may be sent to Mary Pat Devine for Board of Education, 23 Overlook Drive. Information about the campaign can be seen at the new Democratic Web site, www.ridgefielddems.org.

Campaign '97 Home GO TO Mary Pat Devine profile and position statements

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