Ian Thomas is an independent-minded, broadly experienced educator seeking to fill a seat on the Groton Board of Education. As campaign manager for his wife, Portia Bordelon, he helped her win the Sept. 14 Democratic Town Council Primary by a wide margin.

Ian comes from southeastern Connecticut, attending elementary school in Montville and graduating from Fishers Island School in 1993. He spent nearly 20 years as a professional mariner, about half of which he served as licensed captain or mate on sail-training vessels.

Upon leaving the sea, he earned a degree from UConn and began teaching in the Connecticut Department of Corrections school system. He is the proud stepfather of Portia’s two sons, the elder being a recent Fitch graduate and the younger now in his sophomore year.

Ian’s goals for the board include improving teacher-to-student ratios, closing achievement gaps and bettering transparency, accountability, and accessibility of the whole system. Ian Thomas will make a fine addition to the board.

Jim Furlong

Mystic