Meet the Republican: Jill Notar-Francesco

"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 look 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: Jill Notar-Francesco
Age: 57
Party, Position Seeking: Republican, Southington Board of Education

Family information: I have been married to my husband, John, for 30 years. We have two daughters, Mariel (age 27) and Julia (age 23). Both of our children attended and graduated from Southington Public Schools.

Occupation: Former substitute teacher.

Political Experience: I have served on the Southington Board of Education for the last four years and am an officer (Secretary) of the Board. I am also Vice Chairwoman of the town’s Harold Kane Self-Insurance Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Capital Region Education Council (CREC), and a member of the BOE Curriculum and Instruction Committee and BOE Finance Committee.

Why did you run for office?
I value the depth of experience that I have gained on the board over the last four years. I have a strong desire for continued, steady academic school improvement as we’ve seen over the last four years, and I recognize the critical need for strong, effective leadership and collaboration among our Superintendent, all town boards, and the community. So many goals can be realized when everyone works with a mindset to accomplish those goals, politics aside. Many accomplishments have been realized over the last four years, and I’d like to be part of the continued good work of the Board of Education.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
As a current member of the Board of Education since 2007, fiscal responsible has been demonstrated in the budgets the School Board has presented to the town, which have been the three lowest consecutive budget increases in more than a decade.

Student achievement and academic rigor at all levels will continue to be a focus. It is my expectation that every child enrolled in our schools will receive a high-quality education in a safe and pleasant learning environment. Students will graduate our schools well prepared with 21st century skills for their next step of higher education or the workforce. Students need to be adaptive to changes in a constantly evolving world; they must be problem solvers who think critically; they must possess strong communication skills. Our schools must be promoting a love and curiosity for learning in every student.

I favor policies and ongoing improvements in school safety. This is a priority that should be revisited often. We will continue to support and advocate for a no-tolerance policy concerning drugs, alcohol, and violence in our schools and policies that provide higher standards and expectations of student behavior. 

Lastly, it is crucial that the board continues to promote effective, meaningful discussion on a variety of levels. This includes being attentive to the ideas and concerns of school staff, parents, community members, other town officials and boards.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?  
Funding public education is a troubling topic of discussion across the nation. It comes at a time when the discussions should instead be focused on the work of student achievement to regain a national competitive edge. However, although Southington has weathered the storm better than some towns within the state, we need to carefully balance our needs and be respectful to the weak economy. As a result, the last three Board of Education budgets have been the lowest budgets submitted to the town in more than a decade.

I will navigate this next budget cycle as I have done over the last few difficult years. As a team with the Superintendent, we will make the best decisions possible through lengthy discussions, careful planning, and encouraging collaboration and cooperation on everyone’s part to solve the problem. I would like to be returned to the Board of Education to continue to be part of this process.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
During my four years on the board, my record reflects my support and service to the important work of education. I’ve earned a BA degree in Education, am a former substitute teacher and had been active in parent-teacher organizations for 20 years within Southington schools at all levels.

Currently, I am Vice Chairwoman of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). My seat on the CREC Council enables me to bring a broad educational perspective to our Southington board. When navigating the increasingly complex and costly directives from the state, my position on the council enables me to exchange information and discuss issues, especially budgetary ones, with other Board of Education members from 35 towns within the Hartford region.

Residents can be assured that I carefully balance every issue, examining all aspects, and am thoughtful of the impact on students.  I pay close attention to detail, ask questions, and apply data. I work hard and consistently come well prepared to all meetings. I hope to continue serving the best interests of children and our town on the Board of Education.