The Nov. 3 state election ballot includes 14 candidates running for 13 school committee seats for Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. We sent each a questionnaire and are running their responses as they are returned to us.
Biographical information (education, profession, family, any other details that will help voters get to know you):
I have lived in Hopedale for the past 20 years with my wife, Jodi, and three children. Prior to that my family and I lived in Connecticut. We were relocated to Hopedale when I was promoted to be a manager for a pharmaceutical company. I have been in biotech sales for the past 25+ years, and I hold an MBA from the University of Connecticut.
Why did you decide to run for the BVT School Committee? Is there a particular issue that you’re concerned about?
I decided to run because all three of my children have attended BVT and I felt serving on the school committee would be a way for me to give back to the school that has done a wonderful job educating my children.
What district budget priorities do you anticipate in the near future?
I have observed a few school committee meetings and understand that the district continues to look at capital improvements, an example of this is the newly updated commercial kitchen for the culinary students.
What’s your philosophy/feeling about the role of technology in education (including but not limited to AI)?
The workplace continues to evolve using these new technologies such as AI to help with everyday tasks. BVT students will need to learn how to balance the use of AI and other technologies while not overstepping their bounds in their educational journey.
What is your position on the state-mandated switch from ranked admissions to a blind lottery and how do you think the school can best adapt to this change?
My view on the new system is moot as this is what is mandated by the state. Based on my observations of school committee meetings, the district has adapted to the new system to allow students that want a vocational education to receive a vocational education. They use rebalancing strategies to help accomplish this goal. If one town doesn’t use all its slots they are reallocated to another town. I believe that this is a fair system.
