Schools
School Board Candidate David Freedman: 'We're At A Critical Time'
The Republican candidate for Board of Education answers Patch's questions.
During the election season, Patch will profile candidates from all parties for Newtown's elected offices. In this story, Republican candidate David Freedman discusses school security and how to craft a successful education budget.
Dave Freedman describes himself as a moderate Republican.
"I truly believe government should be for the people," he says. "Right now, we're at a critical time, and an important time for the Board of Education. We have a brand new school being built, with a lot of details going into that. And we're still in the healing process. My kids are 10 and nine, and we're going to be here for a long time."
Freedman has lived in Newtown about six years -- his children attend Hawley Elementary School. He spent most of his pre-Newtown career living Massachusetts and working in the non-profit world. Upon moving to the area, he became director of Monroe's Parks and Recreation department.
"That's where I got a good feel for government," he says.
He transformed Monroe's Wolfe Park swimming pool from a dilapidated eyesore into a destination. After leaving Monroe, he's again working as a consultant for non-profits.
After Dec. 14, Freedman decided to get more involved. He's spent time volunteering with the Newtown Action Alliance and the Newtown Foundation, focused on "educational, healing and cultural programs" for teachers, first responders and teens.
Freedman says he's proud to live in Newtown -- the town ranked #4 in the state for its population by Connecticut Magazine.
"But I'd love to get it up to #3," he says. "Or even #2. Or #1."
To do that, he says, schools need to return to the core way of educating.
"I think technology is really important, but there's also something to be sad about reading, writing, arithmetic," he says. "We have state standards and state mandates we have to adhere to. I would hope we could take those standards and go back to a more traditional kind of education."
He says the board has a lot of work to do next year to craft an education budget, not the least in raising awareness in the community about the specifics of what schools need.
"We can do a much better job right from the outset," he says. "As soon as the election is over, we should be working with the community and educating them. We're the board of education -- we should be educating our community."
The Board of Education should "validate and confirm" numbers showing a drop in tuition, he says, and rely on those numbers in the future.
"Everybody wants more staff, more raises, and those are important items," he says. But are we going to driving those decisions based on what? Our mission? The business? ... We don't want to have to mothball a school or something in a couple years."
Freedman has been a frequent Board of Education attendee since the Dec. 14 attacks, and security has been at the top of his mind. Since January, he has advocated for an armed presence at schools.
"It does no good to have a security guard sitting there who's not going to be able to protect our children," he says.
Now, eight months later, the town is moving forward on the requests from Freedman and other parents who spoke at meetings.
"From a financial perspective, that's going to be a continued burden, and we just need to provide for that," he says. He adds he's not sure how long Newtown parents will want to see armed officers in schools -- and he doesn't think the town should have to carry the burden of school expenses.
Newtown is moving forward on plans for armed school resource officers and a school security officer in all schools when classes resume, and the Board of Education has hired unarmed guards as well.
"But again," adds Freedman, "an unarmed guard isn't going to help unless he's standing next to the armed guy."
Dave Freedman describes himself as a moderate Republican.
"I truly believe government should be for the people," he says. "Right now, we're at a critical time, and an important time for the Board of Education. We have a brand new school being built, with a lot of details going into that. And we're still in the healing process. My kids are 10 and nine, and we're going to be here for a long time."
Freedman has lived in Newtown about six years -- his children attend Hawley Elementary School. He spent most of his pre-Newtown career living Massachusetts and working in the non-profit world. Upon moving to the area, he became director of Monroe's Parks and Recreation department.
"That's where I got a good feel for government," he says.
He transformed Monroe's Wolfe Park swimming pool from a dilapidated eyesore into a destination. After leaving Monroe, he's again working as a consultant for non-profits.
After Dec. 14, Freedman decided to get more involved. He's spent time volunteering with the Newtown Action Alliance and the Newtown Foundation, focused on "educational, healing and cultural programs" for teachers, first responders and teens.
Freedman says he's proud to live in Newtown -- the town ranked #4 in the state for its population by Connecticut Magazine.
"But I'd love to get it up to #3," he says. "Or even #2. Or #1."
To do that, he says, schools need to return to the core way of educating.
"I think technology is really important, but there's also something to be sad about reading, writing, arithmetic," he says. "We have state standards and state mandates we have to adhere to. I would hope we could take those standards and go back to a more traditional kind of education."
He says the board has a lot of work to do next year to craft an education budget, not the least in raising awareness in the community about the specifics of what schools need.
"We can do a much better job right from the outset," he says. "As soon as the election is over, we should be working with the community and educating them. We're the board of education -- we should be educating our community."
The Board of Education should "validate and confirm" numbers showing a drop in tuition, he says, and rely on those numbers in the future.
"Everybody wants more staff, more raises, and those are important items," he says. But are we going to driving those decisions based on what? Our mission? The business? ... We don't want to have to mothball a school or something in a couple years."
Freedman has been a frequent Board of Education attendee since the Dec. 14 attacks, and security has been at the top of his mind. Since January, he has advocated for an armed presence at schools.
"It does no good to have a security guard sitting there who's not going to be able to protect our children," he says.
Now, eight months later, the town is moving forward on the requests from Freedman and other parents who spoke at meetings.
"From a financial perspective, that's going to be a continued burden, and we just need to provide for that," he says. He adds he's not sure how long Newtown parents will want to see armed officers in schools -- and he doesn't think the town should have to carry the burden of school expenses.
Newtown is moving forward on plans for armed school resource officers and a school security officer in all schools when classes resume, and the Board of Education has hired unarmed guards as well.
"But again," adds Freedman, "an unarmed guard isn't going to help unless he's standing next to the armed guy."
In short, Freedman says he approaches the position with "a sense of openness."
"I haven't been in this community all my life, and I think that's good -- I've had a variety of different experiences in different areas. But my kids are going to be here for a long time, and if I could help one child progress in their education, then I'll feel like I've done well."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
