A question and answer with Griswold Board of Education candidate Jennifer Norman
Jennifer Norman (D) is one of the candidates for the Griswold Board of Education. For Griswold, The Bulletin sent questionnaires to all candidates in the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education elections. The answers here have been edited for conciseness and clarity.
Why are you running for the Board of Education?
I believe that all of our children deserve to have access to high-quality, high-performance schools. A Board of Education has the honor to provide the oversight and management to help our schools reach their goals. It would be a privilege to serve on a team that does this work.
What makes you stand out from other candidates?
I have a daughter at Griswold Middle School and a son at Griswold High School. I have been an educator for twenty-two years. I have a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as an education administrative certificate. I have previously served on the Griswold Board of Education. I have been a member of the School Readiness Council, Griswold PRIDE, and the State and School Finance Project's Community Advisory Board. I have a well-rounded and grounded knowledge of how a school district operates and I am personally invested in outcomes as a parent.
What do you think is the most important issue in the district and why?
Griswold will need to continue to address the deficits left in learning by the pandemic, which includes not just academic recovery but also the social-emotional well-being of our children.
How would you address the issue?
Working collaboratively with other board members and the superintendent, I will work to secure a strong budget that ensures equitable practices and continued investment, provide oversight to the curriculum process and development, and to manage effective policies that govern the core functions of the school district.
What change would you like to see in Griswold Public Schools during your term, should you win?
I believe that the best approach to change is to adopt and adapt to the needs of those we serve. As a member of a strong board, I believe we will continue to grow already strong initiatives and continue a steady practice of growth.
Anything else you would like to add?
No.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: A question and answer with Griswold BOE candidate Jennifer Norman
