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2021 BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES
Greg Carter
I have been a Cromwell resident since 2015. This coming year will mark my 16th year as an educator in Connecticut. I received a secondary teaching certificate with a concentration in Social Studies and a minor in Political Science from Eastern Connecticut State University. Upon graduation from ECSU I took a position at the CREC Polaris Day School in East Hartford, working with behavioral special education students, grades 6-12. In 2005 I continued my schooling at Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Masters in Special Education. In 2011 I completed a 6th Year degree program for Educational Leadership at Sacred Heart University. In 2013 I made the transition from classroom teacher to administration, taking a position as the Assistant Principal of CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School, where I continue to be employed. This December I will be completing a Certificate program in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
My desire to run for School Board stems from my passion for education and knowledge of schools. I have a wealth of experience and a perspective unlike many and believe I would be an asset to the Cromwell Board.
Kelly Cloutier
As a second generation born and raised in Cromwell, Kelly graduated from Cromwell High school and went on to Central Connecticut State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. She currently shows her love for animals and has been working at a local veterinarian hospital for the past 13 years.
She lives in town with her husband and two daughters who attend Woodside Intermediate School and Cromwell Middle School. She is an active volunteer with the school’s PTO and also leads two Girl Scout Troops in town.
With her leading, her two Girl Scout Troops have been doing service projects and giving back to the community for at least the past four years.
As a potential BOE member, Kelly would like to continue her support to the community and branch it too the education system her family and now children attend.
John Flanders (Incumbent)
John flanders has been a member of the Cromwell Board of Education since 2015. Prior to that he served as First Selectman from 2009 to 2011. He was a member of the Board of Finance from 2005 to 2009, and of the Board of Selectmen from 1995 to 1999. He also currently a member of he Committee to Support People with Disabilities.
John is attorney in solo practice in which he represents families with children with disabilities to ensure they receive an appropriate education. From 2015 to 2020 he was the Executive Director of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center. He is a graduate of UConn Law School and Brown University.
He is a founding member and Vice President of Special Education Equity for Kids (SEEK) and the CT Association of School Based Health Centers. He previously served on the Connecticut State Advisory Council for Special Education and a member i=of it’s Executive Committee, and the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities.
John is married to Dr. Anne W. Camp. They have one son, Nathan who is currently a post-doctoral fellow at Kyoto University.
Shannon Hughes-Brown
Shannon Hughes-Brown lives in Cromwell with her spouse and two children, ages nine and seven who attend Cromwell Public Schools. Shannon grew up in Connecticut and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and masters degree from the University of Hartford. She works in corporate communications at Eversource Energy and has over 15 years of corporate experience in various industries. Shannon spends her limited spare time by volunteering as a Girl Scout leader for a local Cromwell troop.
Shannon is seeking election to serve on Cromwell’s Board of Education for several reasons. Shannon recognizes that we have many different backgrounds and perspectives in our community and our schools. It is important to identify and celebrate this and actively remove obstacles when they exist. She would like to be a part of the district’s efforts to evolve our community’s understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion. She would also like to bring more awareness and speak up for Cromwell’s LGBTQ+ students and families to ensure every student and family feels safe and accepted in Cromwell’s Public Schools.
Shannon is encouraged by the district’s recent progress with curriculum development and would like to continue championing these changes. She will speak up to ensure every student has access to a comprehensive education that prepares them for a successful future.
Lastly, Shannon will drive a change to focus on greater transparency in communication between the administration and the Cromwell community, especially about what data and information is being used to make decisions. Shannon would apply her communications skills and corporate experience to bring this information to the community and Cromwell Public School families.
Shannon is excited to share her perspectives on how as a board of education member she would champion for Cromwell families, greater inclusion and increased transparency in communications.
Shannon looks forward to meeting and listening to Cromwell’s community members and working together to provide the best education possible to Cromwell’s students.
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