CHRISTINA DOWNEY JOE KELLY I am a 26 year resident of Riverside, and my three children are all Joe grew up in Queens New York and is a graduate of Iona College. graduates of the Greenwich Public Schools. My background as He spent 25 years working in the financial business located in London, an attorney and member of the RTM, along with my community Tokyo and New York. As a Senior Managing Director, he managed volunteer activities, provide me with the requisite skills and large teams and oversaw multiple businesses. Presently he is the perspective to make me particularly qualified to serve on the BOE. CEO of Uranium Markets, a commodities brokerage firm and is also Student achievement must be the top priority of the Greenwich the Owner/President of Forestland Development. As an entrepreneur Schools. To do so, we must invest in programs and infrastructure, and balance the Joe has owned and developed both commercial and residential properties, bought and cost of these with their effectiveness. If elected, I hope to use my skills to, among other sold several small businesses and invested in a variety of ventures. He has served our things, improve communication and collaboration with Town entities to implement the community as a volunteer fireman for Amogerone Fire Department. Joe has been the Master Facilities Plan. Additionally, I would focus my efforts on: meeting the needs of Head rugby coach for Greenwich High School for the last nine years and has coached all students through the use of personalized learning; the new strategic plan; improving basketball, football and soccer in town. Recipient of the Greenwich Old Timers parent and family engagement to lessen the achievement gap; and supporting our new Lifetime Achievement Award for coaching and is a member of the Iona College Rugby Superintendent’s efforts. Hall of Fame. KAREN HIRSH KAREN KOWALSKI Karen has actively worked for positive change in Greenwich Public We have lived in Greenwich for the past ten years. My husband and Schools for almost a decade. The proud parent of two current I have three children in Greenwich public schools (one at CMS and Greenwich Public School students, she is Past President of Greenwich two at NSS). I am active in the community, coaching soccer and PTA Council and Glenville School PTA, and has served on the Boards volunteering at my children’s schools. My expertise will complement of Connecticut PTA and the Greenwich YWCA. Karen earned a the Board of Education, and give it what it needs, which is a fresh degree in Psychology, from Cornell University, with a focus on perspective from someone who is in tune with the children and early childhood development, and worked in the field of Communications and Public parents of our schools. As a litigator for 18 years and counting, I know how to get to the Relations. She will advocate for the best interests of all students, working cooperatively heart of the issue, find a resolution, and move things forward. I am looking to improve with all Board Members to provide the best resources for our diverse population of our schools, spending effectively and efficiently, creating better access to resources and learners. Her goals include: improving the Board’s community connection; sharpening increasing overall academic performance. I will turn my energy and focus on issues like the Board’s attention to curriculum; ensuring that every child is appropriately challenged Special Education, athletics, and overall academic achievement. I look forward to the and supported; launching program reviews for Special Education and Digital Learning; opportunity to serve this Community. improving outdated facilities and fields; and increasing support for our children’s personal and interpersonal needs. GAETANE FRANCIS Gaetane has served the Greenwich community for 24 years as a physician and on the Greenwich Hospital Executive Board, as an active parent of two boys in the public schools—including as a PTA Council committee co-chair, and as a Board of Education member for the last four years. While on the Board, she served as vice-chair and is currently the chair of the policy and ad hoc strategic planning committees as well as a board representative to the Curriculum Council and the Greenwich Alliance for Education. She supports personalized, mastery-based learning so that every student is engaged and successful in their learning. She believes deliberate use of technology can enhance student learning but also appreciates the value of teaching that does not use technology. She encourages broad, well-rounded goals for students that look beyond academics to develop them into happy and successful members of society. GENERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION INFORMATION Board of This bipartisan, eight-member board is elected for four-year staggered terms. They serve without pay. Each political party may nominate as many persons as there are vacancies on the Board. Independent candidates may Education also be on the ballot. The four candidates receiving the highest number of votes are elected but no more than two from each party. Candidates HOW TO VOTE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Vote for up to any four candidates. Four candidates will be elected but no Forum more than two from any one party. Hosted by ELECTION DAY VOTER REGISTRATION the League of Women Voters of Greenwich and If you are unable to register to vote by the normal deadlines, a new the Greenwich PTA Council election law passed in Connecticut in 2012 provides for Election Day Registration (EDR) in general elections as your last chance. If you choose to register on Election Day, you must appear in person at Town Hall and provide proof of your identity and residence. A current and Tuesday, October 15, 2019 valid Connecticut driver’s license with your Greenwich address will 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm satisfy both requirements. Other options for proof of identity include a birth certificate, social security card or current student photo ID from Central Middle School an institute of higher education. A proof of residence must include your current address. You will be asked to fill out a voter registration Auditorium application and affirm—in writing—that you have not already voted in this election. If you have been registered to vote in another Connecticut town, the election officials must contact your former town to verify your voting status. When this is completed, you will be able to cast your ballot right there. As there is only one location, the lines might be long..