Candidate Q&A: James Greene, BOE

Several weeks ago, Stafford Free Press sent questions to the Selectmen, Planning & Zoning, Board of Education, and Board of Finance candidates via the Democratic Town Committee and the Republican Town Committee. We gave them a deadline of August 31 and a promise not to edit their answers (even for grammar and spelling).

Here are the answers provided by James Greene, who is running for the Board of Education.

---

Q: Why did you decide to run for the BOE?

A: I grew up in a military family. My father was an Air Force officer, and my mother was a special education teacher for the Department of Defense Schools. We lived all over the United States and also spent 4 years living in Germany. Growing up in the military shaped my sense of home and community. Although we moved from place to place throughout my childhood, I came to understand the importance of service to the community. I have early memories during the first Gulf War of my father being deployed and going around the base with my mother to drop off soup for soldiers who were on duty. Those values instilled by my family led me to my work in the nonprofit field running a human service agency, and to the volunteering I do here in Stafford.

I learned from an early age that if you wanted things to be better and different, you couldn’t just complain. You had to be willing to step up and get your hands dirty. Over the past two years, I have watched as the trust and partnership broke down between the Board of Education, Board of Finance, and Board of Selectmen. This working relationship is critical to the success of our town and the effective functioning of our government, and we saw the impacts of this toxic relationship during the budget process. The need for new leadership on the Board of Education is paramount to moving forward. There is too much work to do, and we have been bogged down for far too long by a lack of transparency and partnership that goes in both directions. My hope is to be part of a Board of Education that will reinvest in these important relationships and reinvigorate a collaborative spirit that is needed for our schools and town to move forward successfully. 

Q: Have you previously been involved with the schools in any capacity? Share that experience.

A: I have been involved with our schools as a parent, community partner, and volunteer. My daughters both attend Stafford High School and were fortunate enough to go through the great Stafford Public School system all the way from West Stafford School. I am an engaged parent who regularly attends public meetings including the Board of Education, and have served on parent focus groups for a variety of issues. Recognizing the need to support our schools and the arts programming within the district, I got involved with the SHS Music and Drama Boosters Club several years ago and most recently served as President for two years. And as a volunteer first responder I have also participated in community events with our schools like Fire Safety Week and Child Safety Day.

I grew up in a family that believed in service to the community and valued the opportunity to give back. Throughout my career I have seen how the individual contributions of people make a tremendous difference. My family was welcomed into Stafford, and I have been fortunate to call this town home for nearly a decade. I know that if we want things to be better, that we all need to pull up our sleeves and contribute what we can. That abundance mentality is what drives my desire to serve. 

Q: What do you believe is the most pressing challenge the schools face, and how can the BOE help address that challenge?

A: I believe the most critical issue we face is rebuilding trust across the Boards of Finance, Selectmen, and Education. That breakdown in communication and trust was on full display in this year’s budget process and must get better for us to move forward as a town. The recent budget challenges have also led to a significant morale problem for staff and administration across the school district. Addressing this, and the staff retention problems it creates, is key to having a positive school experience for all students and staff. 

I hope to be part of moving past the anger and hate that we have seen on display online and in recent town meetings. We are all here for the good of our community and we all want Stafford to be a place that is vibrant. This cannot be about “us vs. them.” It needs to be about how we do better for everyone in Stafford. I believe that comes through transparent communication, active engagement of our community in important discussions throughout the year, a budgeting process that is open and honest, and a return to good working relationships across the town boards.

Q: How can the BOE and the town collaborate to enhance outcomes for students? 

A: There is an old proverb of two brothers who are trying to move a heavy cart through a muddy path. One brother is pushing from the back and trying to move forward, while the other is pushing from the front and trying to go back. When they finally stop straining and look up at one another, they realize why they have been stuck in the mud all this time! 

Stafford is a unique community with tremendous opportunity and real challenges. We have a high number of students with Individualized Education Plans, and a student population that is more transient than many surrounding districts. We need to ensure that our curriculum is supporting all learners and encouraging students to stay in district and supporting families who want to settle permanently in Stafford. When students choose to go outside of our district it takes critical resources away from our schools and makes the budgeting process that much more challenging. Additionally, we must work alongside the Town to secure grant funds that will ease the burden for taxpayers in the community. All of this requires trust and effective communication, and those lines have broken down over the past two years.

Our Schools are the heart of our town, and the best way to strengthen our community is to ensure we have excellent schools that will attract exceptional staff and encourage families to set down roots in Stafford, just like my family did a decade ago. Meetings of the Tri-Board (Boards of Finance, Education, and Selectmen) should be about sharing needed information and ensuring that we are all moving toward the same vision. I believe that in our current First Selectman, Bill Morrison, we have someone who has a strategic vision for growth. The Board of Education needs to be engaged in a planning process that focuses on how the district can support that future that we all aspire to and that makes Stafford stronger.