Seekonk School Committee Candidate Brouillette Shares Ideas on Future of Seekonk Schools

The Seekonk Reporter reached out to the three candidates running for School Committee in the April 3 election. Erin Brouillette, who is looking to unseat William Woods for a 3 year seat on the Committee, was the only candidate to respond. Deborah Viveiros, appointed last year to fill a vacancy on the committee, is running unopposed for a two-year seat.

Reporter: What is your background and why do you feel you are qualified to be a member of the school committee?

Brouillette: Professionally, my background is in accounting. I have spent the last 6 years working in education, specifically as the Accounting Supervisor and then Director of Finance at the Highlander Charter School and Highlander Institute. I am also a member the Capital Improvements Committee in Seekonk. Personally, I am a mom of three children that I want to see receive the best education available. I feel I am qualified to serve on the school committee because of my unique experience of working as part of the administration within a school. I understand the challenges that the educators face but also the concerns of parents and taxpayers. I want to ensure that Seekonk students are given the best education possible for their success and that we are able to do it in a way that is fiscally conscious.

Reporter: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the Seekonk School system and the School Committee in general? How would you address it?

Brouillette: I believe one of the biggest challenges facing the Seekonk School system is the rising cost of Special Education both in and out of district. I would address it by asking the administration to start looking internally at our current systems and also looking at models of other districts both within Massachusetts and across the country to find best practices that might be helpful and increase efficiencies.

Reporter: What are the top three things you would like to accomplish during your term?

Brouillette: I would like to ensure that the curriculum is updated and relevant and that it is consistent across the district. I would like to ensure that blended and personalized learning is occurring effectively in all classrooms. Also, I would like see a strategic plan completed that addresses the needs of all Seekonk students and makes school a dynamic and engaging environment.

Reporter: Do you have any specific changes you want to make in school district policies, programs, or the various school curricula being offered? If so, what changes do you want to make and why?

Brouillette: I think there are some amazing things happening within the Seekonk Schools and I want to help promote the positive things happening within individual classrooms or schools, and help those things be implemented district wide. I would like to work with the administration to ensure that the programs and curricula that are currently utilized are the right choices for the teachers, the students, and the community.

Reporter: Do you have, or have had, any children in the school system?

Brouillette: I have one child that is currently enrolled in 2nd grade at Aitken and I have two children that will be attending Seekonk schools in the near future.

Reporter: What has been your involvement in the school system (PTO, volunteering, etc.)?

Brouillette: I volunteer with the Aitken PTO (Field Day, Holiday Shop, etc.), I work with the School Department as part of my role on the Capital Improvements Committee, and I attend as many school committee meetings as possible.