Politics & Government

Meet the Republican: Colleen Clark

A look at Colleen Clark, Republican candidate for Southington Board of Education.

"Meet the Candidates" is a feature on Southington Patch designed to help you get to know your local candidates before you take to the polls this November. Each profile was submitted directly by the candidate. 

Take a moment to review each profile so you can be informed and prepared when you go to the polls on Nov. 5, 2013.

This week, we are looking at the Southington Board of Education candidates.

Name: Colleen W. Clark
Age: 58
Party, Board Seeking: Republican for Board of Education
Family information: Eric (patient husband of 27 years), sons Travis (freshman/ football player at WPI) and Jonathan (better known as JJ, 8th grader at JFK), and Peanut the Barking Dog
Occupation, if applicable: Nursery school teacher at the YMCA
Political Experience: Currently a 3 term member of the BOE
Other Experience:
Current member of the Public Building Committee; Chair of the Personnel and Policy committee of the BOE; past PTO president of South End Elementary School, JFK Middle School, and Southington High School; CCD teacher at Mary Our Queen Church; volunteer for the SHS Gridiron and Mary Our Queen VBS.

Why did you run for office?
When my son Travis started school, I was told that South End School was scheduled to be renovated so no significant work was going to be done until the renovation. After 5 years, my husband got tired of hearing me complain about the old facility and told me to do something about it.  I soon realized that, with the right team of people, things can get done in Southington in an open, transparent manner.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
My focus has always been and will continue to be the safety and well-being of students in our school system and to provide them the best possible educations for the challenges they will face in the 21st century.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?As a member of the BOE, I have found that as education is continually evolving and the state and federal government are continually mandating (generally without funding or under-funded), our tax base is hard pressed to keep up. We need to continue to work smarter with less while still maintaining the quality education Southington is known for.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
I bring my 6 years of experience as a Board of Education member, as well as my common sense, my ability to listen to all sides of an issue, and my desire to continue making the Southington Schools an example of quality education

(Optional) Anything else you would like to share?
It has been an honor and a privilege to be a member of the Southington Board of Education and I hope the voters will return the Republican BOE team to office on Election Day.

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