MONROE, CT — Jerry Stevens, a retired teacher and lifelong Monroe resident, has been a fixture in the town’s public school system for 56 years, going back to his days as a student. Since he was hired as an industrial arts teacher at Chalk Hill School in 1979, the Board of Education member has worked with 10 superintendents and been a part of several building projects.
“Since age eight, I attended Monroe Board of Education meetings,” Stevens said during a recent interview at Dunkin’ Donuts. “My grandma served on the board for 30 years, the last 10 as chairman. Grandma cut the ribbon to open Chalk Hill Middle School.”
Now Stevens, a school board member of 10 years, serves on the Ad Hoc Facilities Committee, which is looking into reopening Chalk Hill as a school to accommodate growing student enrollment.
It’s been a long run, but the Democrat’s long involvement in Monroe education may come to an end this November, when six candidates vie for five seats.
Petitioning unaffiliated candidate, Marie Blake, who is a retired teacher and former union president, has made the race a competitive one.
Stevens is running as the lone Democrat and the Republicans are running incumbents Vice Chair Christine Cascella, Dennis Condon and Jeffrey Fulchino and newcomer Sunny Gill.
The GOP candidates will participate in a Meet the Candidates event at Monroe Social, 494 Main St., this Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m.
“It has been a privilege to serve our students, staff and community as a member of our Board of Education and I ask the voters to allow me to continue to serve,” Stevens said.
Planning for the future
Stevens met his wife, Kathy, when both were in high school. The couple raised two children, their son, who is now a tech ed teacher, and daughter, who is a school counselor.
When Stevens graduated from college in May of 1979, he was hired by Chalk Hill one month later. In addition to teaching, Stevens had spent time as a coach in youth sports.
Stevens taught wood shop and the state of Connecticut changed the title of his program over the years from industrial arts to industrial technology to technology education.
“In 2002 we were named the program of the year in the state of Connecticut,” Stevens said of his class.
Stevens was recognized as Monroe’s Teacher of the Year in 2006 and as Connecticut Technology Education Teacher of the Year in 2007.
He served on the state STEM Committee, the Monroe STEM Committee, and on the Connecticut Education/Engineering Association’s executive board for 30 years, the last 10 as its president.
On the Monroe Board of Education, Stevens has served on the Policy and Calendar committees, and sat on negotiation committees as a Board of Education member.
“My two priorities, which are even, are enrollment and school infrastructure,” he said. “We have many classes that are being taught in untraditional settings.”
Stevens said he wants to see a sharper focus on planning.
“The Board of Education works diligently to constantly update our capital plan,” he said. “We have projected out from year one to year five, but I feel the town needs a strategic infrastructure plan for our school buildings. Not one of our buildings are fully air conditioned.”
“We have an award winning school district that was ranked 16th by Niche,” Stevens said. “We need to continue to provide the best education possible, while being fiscally responsible.”
Over the last few years, the Board of Education revised the process of reviewing its annual operating budget.
“We assign a board member to each administrative budget group and review it line by line,” Stevens said. “I met every group administrator.”
Stevens expressed his belief that his experience leads to positive contributions to the school board.
“My 56 years in education gives me a unique perspective and an informed vision of how to move forward,” he said. “My direct knowledge of how decisions may impact students and staff on a practical level allows for constructive discussions at the board level.”
“My dedication to Monroe students is my reason to serve on the board,” Stevens said. “Any issues relevant to students’ health, safety and learning is of concern to me. I will champion causes to ensure our town continues to deliver the exemplary education for which we are known.”
“My reelection would continue to allow me to pay tribute to our outstanding schools by representing a unique perspective as a parent, teacher and current Board of Education member,” he said.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
