William Hart

Board of Education

Thomas Allen Photography

Education has always been important to our family; in fact, the Newtown School System was the primary reason we chose to move here 15 years ago. Both my late wife and I were active in our children’s education, and now as a single parent that involvement has become even more important to me.

While serving last year on the school system’s CIP Action Team, my professional and volunteer experience as well as my obligations as a concerned citizen compelled me to become a candidate for the Board. When a seat became available in July, I immediately submitted my application.

Balancing the needs of the school system with the community is a challenging task.  My mother, Mavis Hart, who lived in Newtown until her passing last year, faced the challenges of home ownership while living on a fixed income. Yet she was a strong supporter of the school system and taught me that, with careful stewardship, it should be possible to provide excellent education that is affordable for the community.

It is that spirit of careful stewardship that I want to bring to the Newtown Board of Education.

Positions:

Quality Education

We must maintain Newtown schools as a great place to learn and teach by providing the right resources, recruiting quality teachers and administrators, and maintaining a modern curriculum.

Communications

We must continue to improve the School System's and the Board's communications both to and from parents and residents.

Technology

The schools must more effectively embrace new technology to teach our children to thrive safely in this new environment and take advantage of improved learning while maintaining good budget discipline.

Management

The Board must provide oversight on financial and planning management and implement an improved capital project management process.

Strategy

The Board must work effectively with the rest of the Town’s government to implement a strategic planning process to better anticipate school population growth before it becomes critical.

Personal

My family has been living in Newtown for the past 15 years. 

My late wife, Kathleen, and I raised three daughters, all of whom have attended Newtown schools: Our oldest is Alexandra who started in kindergarten here in Newtown, graduated from Newtown High School in 2007,  and is now a journalism major at NYU.  Brianna has just started her sophomore year at NHS; and Colleen will graduate from Middle School when she completes the 8^th grade this year. 

Earlier this year, after stumbling upon my blog, Nancy Crevier from the Newtown Bee wrote an article about me and my family which nicely descirbes my background.  It can be found here.

Experience

• Newtown Board of Education since July 2009, Chair since August 2010
• Member CIP Action Team of School District’s Strategic Planning Group
• Volunteered in Sandy Hook School classrooms 4 years to assist in math & science
• 9 years as independent businessman (Lone Oak Technologies, LLC - software and systems engineering consulting)
• 25 years experience in corporate marketing and engineering management (Pitney Bowes and General Electric)
• Former Member, Board of Directors, United Way of Northern Fairfield County for 7 years

Education

• B.S. Applied Physics/Electrical Engineering Michigan Technological University
• Graduate Work: Systems Engineering
  Case Western Reserve University
• Graduate of GE’s management training programs 
• Holder of 16 patents in automation and robotics