Meet the Republican: Brian S. Goralski

"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. 8.

This week, we begin looking at the Board of Education candidates. Be sure to look back at the Town Council and Board of Finance, which we featured the last two weeks, and stay informed.

Name: Brian S. Goralski
Age: 43
Party, Position Seeking: Republican, Southington Board of Education

Family information: Raised and educated in Southington, currently live in the Plantsville section of Southington, married 19 years to a classmate from Southington High School and the proud father of two current Southington High School students.

Occupation: Youth Services Officer, State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families.

Political Experience: Southington Board of Education, Fall 2003 – Present (Chairman 2007 – Present); Southington Housing Authority, Fall 2002 – Spring 2005.

Other Experience: PTO at Derynoski Elementary School, Second Vice-President and Co-President, Fall 2000 – Fall 2003; Southington Youth Soccer League, Southington South Youth Athletic Association and Southington Girls Youth Softball, Coach, 2000 – Present; Southington Town-wide Effort to Promote Success (S.T.E.P.S.), Fall 2008 – Present; Southington’s Relay for Life (2002 – Present); Member of Polish Falcons of America – Nest 307, Southington, CT; Parishioner of St. Aloysius Church

Why did you run for office?
I am a lifelong resident of Southington and have enjoyed many things our town has to offer. My personal life as a father and coach, and my professional life as an employee with the Department of Children and Families, focus on work with children. For the last eight years I have served as a member of the Southington Board of Education and the last four years I have had the honor of serving as Chairman. I think education is the foundation of our community and serving on the Board of Education allows me the opportunity to improve the quality of education the town of Southington offers while being fiscally responsible. I am proud to have been involved with the improved communication between the School Board, Town Council, Board of Finance and most importantly, the citizens of Southington. I hope to continue to serve the Southington community and move our school system forward.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?

• Renovations and additions to the middle schools to better meet the needs of students and our community.
• Continue to bring improvements and consistency to the curriculum throughout the school system.
• Actively address safety and security needs throughout the school system.

• Continue to improve communication with Southington citizens to increase involvement with schools and create the best possible educational learning community

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
Balancing the needs of our community with the poor economic climate we live in.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
I bring to this position the knowledge, experience, determination and motivation to do what is best for the children of Southington while never losing sight of the other residents of our town.

Anything else you would like to share?
Throughout my life my family, education, career and public service have taught me the value of teamwork. I could not be more proud of the people I have served with on the Southington Board of Education for the last eight years. The Board of Education is non-partisan with the common goal of quality schools. The past two years have proven that to move our schools forward requires the participation of all. We have been successful because of the teamwork, collaboration and hard work between all areas of town government.

This election is like no other that I’ve experienced with regard to maintaining the direction of our community and keeping Southington moving forward. I encourage all Southington residents to vote on Nov. 8 and cast their ballot for people that truly support education and believe in honest, respectful government. I run as part of a team, and I believe, that as a group, the Southington Republicans stand for these values. I respectfully seek your support not only for myself, but my team as a whole. Thank you.