Groton — Closing the achievement gap, workforce readiness programs, and improving communication are among priorities named by the eight candidates running for five available seats on the nine-member Board of Education.

Democrats Mike Whitney, Beverly Washington, Ian Thomas and Katrina Fitzgerald and Republicans Andrea L. Ackerman, Thomas Frickman and Dean Antipas are seeking the four four-year seats. Frickman also is on the ballot against Democrat Matthew Shulman for the one available two-year term.

No more than six of the nine board members can be from one party. Three sitting Democrats and one Republican have terms that expire in 2023, so at most three Democrats can be elected in the upcoming election.

Board Vice Chairwoman Ackerman, 78, was a Groton teacher and principal for 39 years. She is Writing Center mentor at the Coast Guard Academy, on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship board, and the state Council for Military Children.

Ackerman supports adding the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program to create a K-12 "global perspective" IB experience in Groton. She also wants to expand the IB Career Pathways program. She also wants the school district's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative to "take root" so Groton children can see themselves in teaching and school administrative roles.

Antipas, 59, a lawyer and former Town Councilor, was appointed last year to fill a board vacancy. He said the school district must address the lost learning by students during school shutdowns: “There is no way to sugarcoat the fact that children of all backgrounds and means have to recover lost ground,” he said. “In the end, schools and families must each do their part.”

He also said he would be “on guard" against what he called "overly-worded, brightly-packaged initiatives" that detract from proper education.

To address bus transportation issues, aside from the chronic bus driver shortage, Antipas said the board should assess the combined middle school and high school bus runs adopted recently.

Former school board member Fitzgerald, 56, a caregiver and Representative Town Meeting member, is co-chairwoman of the SE CT Sandy Hook Promise organization and on the town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She said she wants to revive the Shared Services Committee to look for savings for the school board and town.

Fitzgerald said the board needs to "empower parents" through better communication and volunteer opportunities. She said budgets must align district goals and town needs "with respect for taxpayers.” She called for expanding partnerships with local businesses and the military and unions to help students entering the workforce to develop career skills.

Frickman, 46, is a teacher and member of the RTM Education Committee for the past six years. He said he is familiar with developing curriculum, analyzing student performance data and making instructional decisions. He wants to improve “the quality and quantity" of communication with families.

“Students and families need to know that their voices are being heard,” he said.

He wants to work with the district’s leadership to retain quality teachers and improve curriculum and instruction for all students. He said he would bring his experience as an educator and parent of a student in the district to the board.

Shulman, 75, who is retired, is a Justice of the Peace, Groton Public Library Advisory Board member and Groton Community Meals volunteer.

He wants "to deliver on the promises of our restructuring and new facilities by defining metrics to measure academic performance and make adjustments, as needed.” Shulman wants to increase communication and ensure the IB program provides opportunities for career-path and collegiate-bound students and to expand internships.

“It’s necessary but not sufficient to roll-out actions to boost equal opportunity for staff and students,” he added. “We must also provide students with enhanced Financial Literacy training because students’ ability (or inability) to manage money will significantly affect their quality of life.”

Thomas, 46, a state school teacher and RTM member on the education and public safety committees, said he wants to increase transparency, accountability and accessibility, close the achievement gap and improve workforce readiness programs.

He wants to ensure meetings, beyond the end of pandemic protocols, are broadcast live, recorded and posted on GMTV, and increase public comment.

He wants to build financial literacy instruction, coordination with local employers and trade unions for apprenticeships and internships, and incorporate pipeline programs, such as for the ROTC and Peace Corps, among others. He would like the school board to coordinate with other boards to create a master plan to improve and maintain sports facilities.

RTM member and former Board of Education member Washington, who is over 55, is a retired teacher who works part time for Curtin Student Transportation and serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Collaborative, Affordable Housing Committee, and Age Friendly Groton Committee.

She wants to help students “receive a quality education that will help them thrive after they graduate from high school whether they go onto college or enter the workforce.”

Her priorities include closing the achievement gap and ensuring a strong educational foundation, supporting more career readiness programs and partnering with businesses for internships, and strengthening efforts to diversify staff.

RTM member Whitney, 46, a university professor and scientist who chairs the RTM's education committee, wants to provide a safe and supportive learning environment while helping schools improve. He would apply his understanding of education budgets to ensure efficient use of funds and prioritize support to schools, educators, and students.

He said he will seek out views of students, parents, teachers, and the community, as the path to the best decisions.

“I will help advance and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and community,” he said. “Special education is a key component of equitable education and I will work to fix shortcomings and better support all children so they can progress and excel.”

Town Clerk, RTM

Town Clerk Betsy Moukawsher, a Democrat, is running uncontested for her fourth term.

The following candidates are running for Representative Town Meeting:

District 1: Roscoe Merritt (D), Sheila Perry (D), Joe Baril (D), Adam Puccino (D), Kathy Chase (R), and Karin Adams (R).

District 2: Edward Jacome (D), Beverly Washington (D), Syma Ebbin (D), Harry A. Watson (R) and Robert Boris (R) 

District 3: Portia Bordelon (D), Jill Rusk (D), Ian Thomas (D), Autumn Hanscom (D), Neal B. Gardner (R), and Petricia S. Weaver (write in). 

District 4: Lian Obrey (D), Jamie Veazie-Williams (D), Susan Hainline (D), Kristen Powers (D), Shawn Powers (D), and Robert Bailey (R)

District 5: Gary Welles (D), Melinda Cassiere (D), Mike Whitney (D), Matt Ivey (D), John Scott (R), and Susan Deane-Shinbrot (R).

District 6: Alfred Fritzsche (D), Richard Semeraro (D), Katrina Fitzgerald (D), James Gustavson (D), Diane Barber (R), Dean Antipas (R), Thomas Frickman (R), and Emma Giunipero (R).

District 7: Emily Ray (D), Clarence Casper (D), Bruce Jones (D), Jacqui Copp (D), and Lynn Crockett-Hubbard (R). 

k.drelich@theday.com