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Responsive, Forward-Thinking

Board of Education (BOE) members have an immense and rewarding responsibility: to help make effective instruction the cornerstone of our learning process. I am proud to endorse the three Democratic candidates for the BOE, as they will continue our town’s work to help every student reach his or her best potential.

Dr. Katie Balestracci has served on the board with distinction for eight years, and she will no doubt continue to be an effective voice for all learners. She has been a powerful advocate for challenging curriculum balanced with efforts to ensure that social and emotional learning remains vital to helping students succeed.

Dr. Richard Hersh joined the board earlier this year when the board appointed him to fill the vacancy by Christine Cohen’s election to the State Senate. Dr. Hersh has unparalleled experience in higher as well as grade school education, starting as a high school teacher but perhaps most notably serving as president or administrative leader of several high-achieving public and private universities. Currently a lecturer in education at Yale University, Dr. Hersh brings a lifetime of irreplaceable experience and deep insight as to the best evidence-based practices in education today.

John DellaVentura is a lifelong Guilford resident who attended Guilford schools and who has two children in our schools. He served as president and vice president of the Guilford Center for Children. His deep commitment to our town is unquestioned.

I have been proud to work with many dedicated and thoughtful board members since 1999. These candidates will continue to make Guilford’s BOE a responsive, forward-thinking group that will continue to acknowledge that we don’t get a second chance to educate a child.

William M. Bloss

Guilford

Democrat William M. Bloss chairs the Board of Education.