Voters Guide: George Farrington for Nashua Board of Education

NAME: George Farrington

AGE: 65

OCCUPATION: Retired Airline Pilot

OFFICE RUNNING FOR: Board of Education

Background/What Uniquely Qualifies You For This Position?

I served on the Board of Education for 8 years (1990-1997), five of those years I served as Board President.

Previous Office/Elected Position Held:

In addition to the 8 years on the Board of Education mentioned above, I currently serve on the Nashua Board of Assessors.

Why are you running for election?

The issue that caused me to decide to run was the discussion of the Common Core Curriculum and the sense I got that some believed this is the answer to all of the problems in education. After that, as I looked at the District information more closely, it seemed to me they were trying to do so many things that there was little hope of being really successful with any of them.

What are the top priorities, in your perspective, for Nashua’s Schools right now?

At this point in time the top priority should be to sort through the issues surrounding the Common Core Curriculum. There are numerous reports of teachers not receiving portions of the new curriculum in a timely manner. I can’t seem to find any record of there having been a thorough discussion of all aspects of Common Core as well as other options the District may have. It isn’t clear the Board has ever taken a vote in support of the Common Core.

I would like to know what alternatives are available to the District. Because so much time is spent talking about the diversity of the students in the District I have questions about a one size fits all set of standards.

What is the top priority for the school district moving forward?

I think there are too many goals, initiatives, strategies, etc. on the table, each drawing on the resources of the District so that none of them are completed in an effective and timely manner. In some cases I think it actually detracts from the day-to-day education of the students by pulling teachers out of class to work on these things.

If elected, I think the top priority for the District going forward, should be reducing the number of things the District is trying to accomplish. By narrowing the focus and concentrating the District resources on fewer things, it seems that we should increase the likelihood of success.

Why should voters select you to represent them on the School Board?

I have eight years of experience on the Board of Education. During that time I was able to work effectively with people of different views, on the Board of Education as well as the Board of Aldermen and two different Mayors.

I care about children and want to be a part of providing them with the best possible education.