Meet Rick Stahr, Republican Candidate for Board of Education

Occupation: Assistant Director, Learning Technology for The Hartford

Education: 
BS Human Services, Springfield College 1998
MA Human Service Administration, Springfield College 2000

Government and/or other experience qualifying you for public office: 
Member, Board of Education 2004-2007, 2012 - present
Chairman, Elementary Facilities Communications Committee
Member, South Windsor Capital Projects Committee
Media Director, Vote Yes for South Windsor Schools political action committee, 2008

Our schools are South Windsor's most important asset. I served on the board of education that voted in favor of the prior elementary school referendum, and then worked on the political action committee to help it to pass. Unfortunately, it didn't. This time, however, we have the advantage of excellent leadership in our superintendent and unanimity on the board on this issue. The proposal now before us is our best opportunity in years to finally redress the condition of our outdated elementary schools.

I earned a bachelor's and master's degree (Human Service Administration) from Springfield College and have years of experience in special education and instructional technology. More important, though, I have a passion for the work of the board. As a member of the town's capital projects committee I helped to create a reasonable - and successful - referendum proposal to fix leaky roofs and other serious issues in our schools. The current board of education has worked hard and harmoniously to collectively achieve most of the items in the superintendent's strategic plan. The last major task is to finally resolve the elementary schools problem with a solution that is educationally sound, fiscally respectful of taxpayers, and in a way that can most benefit all of the town. I hope you'll allow me to continue this important work.