The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received October 28, 2021.
As Election Day nears, I want to provide you with my final thoughts and outline my continued commitment to the students, families and community members of Haddam. I’d also like to take a moment to thank all of the individuals I have spoken with over the course of the campaign. Your honesty, passion and perspectives are and will continue to be vital to our future. If I did not have the opportunity to connect with you, please know that I have a permanent open-door policy. All ideas deserve to be heard, understood and discussed.
I entered this race because I believe our district can be the best in Connecticut. We have the talent and resources necessary to define our future, and I believe I have the experience, temperament and beliefs to get us to where we want to go.
This starts with aligning our education system to the realities of a 21st century economy. To be the best, we must offer experiences that no one else does, namely a robust apprenticeship model for ALL HK high school students prior to graduation, and a life skills curriculum that teaches financial literacy.
In the early grades, it means strong foundational literacy and math skills, and project-based learning where students are solving real-world problems and using all their talents to work together on teams.
For our local employers, it means having direct access to upcoming talent through the apprenticeship program, helping to shape student skills to align with workforce needs into the future.
For parents, it means seeing your kid find what they’re passionate about, and knowing that HK is inclusive of all people, regardless of race, gender identity, income-level, language, or ability.
For our residents without children in the schools, it means higher property values because our schools bring talent, resources and businesses to the area to support a thriving local economy.
For our teachers, it means preparing our students for the world ahead, navigating their interests with love and support, and seeing them shine as young adults.
For all of us, we have the opportunity to make our district unlike any other in the state, and a national model for small district innovation. Let’s not lose this opportunity.
I ask that you vote for Hamish MacPhail on November 2 (on side 2 of the ballot – Row A, Column 23!) so that I can advocate for these programs tirelessly, and do so in an open and transparent way.
Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you around town.
Hamish MacPhail
Candidate for RSD17 Board of Education
Higganum