Candidate Q and A: School Committee

Editor's Note: Patch asked the two candidates for school committee to complete a questionnaire. Here are their responses, which were edited for length. Both Boyle and Lanzetta are running unopposed for the three-year seats. The election is Monday.

Christine Boyle

Q: Why are you seeking this position?

A: I am seeking re-election to the Milford School Committee because I am committed to making a difference in our community and shaping the future of Milford Public Schools.   I am passionate about providing an exceptional educational experience for all students while ensuring that our tax dollars are spent responsibly on education programs and services with proven results.

Q: What is your educational background?

A: I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in biology from Smith College and a Ph.D in immunology and virology from University of Massachusetts Medical School. 

Q: What is your age and profession?

A: I am 42.  My profession is research scientist and I am also currently teaching in the Biology Department at Worcester State University.

Q: Describe your family.

A: I am married to John Boyle, and we have three children:  Jack , 13, Maggie, 10 and Madelyn, 8.

Q: What are the three top issues facing Milford Public Schools? Please identify the issue and explain what you think should be done by school officials to address it.

A: There are many issues that face the public schools today and, depending on your point of view, the priority may change.  However, the budget is one of the biggest issues that the Milford School Committee faces.  Given these most recent difficult financial times, the School Committee has continued to work with the superintendent and assistant superintendent and town finance committee to construct an annual district budget that delivers the needs of education for students, while mindful of the town’s limits and finances.  For the past three years we have been able to maintain educational services and staff with a level-funded budget. 

Another issue is the question of adequate space.  With the changing needs in education and the aging of facilities, the district needs to address some space needs while continuing to maintain and upgrade the buildings and facilities we have today.  The School Committee works through the budget to plan for these needs and upkeep, while in the long term, looking towards the potential building of a new elementary school.

A third issue is the increasing demands of standardized testing, such as the MCAS, on day-to-day education in the classroom.  An important way that school officials can address this is to use the standardized testing data to help evaluate programs, address some professional development needs and assess student growth so that we are not “teaching to the test,” but using the results to make the education our schools deliver better.

Q: Have you ever held public office before? If so, what position and what years.

A: School Committee is the only public office I have held.  I am seeking a second term.

Q: What is the most important thing people should know about you?

A: I am open-minded and objective.  I carefully and thoughtfully think through an issue, making sure I have all sides of that issue before I make a decision. I believe that my experiences as a school parent and volunteer, as well as my professional achievements, have given me both the skills and the perceptive insight to continue to be a  hardworking and effective advocate for education in Milford.

Robert Lanzetta

Q: Why are you seeking this position?

A: I'm seeking the position on the Milford School Committee to be able to give back to our community.  Having children in the school system, and knowing many others that do as well, I am passionate about our kids receiving a quality education. Also, knowing the difficult economic times, I want to look out for the taxpayers and working families of Milford, providing the best education for the dollar.

Q: What is your educational background?

A: Milford High School graduate, 1987. Fordham University, Bachelor's degree in business management, 1991.

Q: What is your age and profession?

A: 42, a senior manager at Medical Information Technology, a healthcare information systems company in Framingham.

Q: Describe your family.

A: Married to wife Karen for 14 years.  Two children, Zachary, 13,  in the seventh grade, and Giana, 11, in the fifth grade, both at Stacy Middle School. In addition: Mother, Lucille (Ciccarelli) Aldrich, father, Dennis Lanzetta, grandparents Alfred Lanzetta and the late Alice (Freitas) Lanzetta, and Marie (Tocchi) Ciccarelli and the late Lawrence Ciccarelli.  Also two brothers Dennis and Scott.

Q: What are the three top issues facing Milford Public Schools? Please identify the issue and explain what you think should be done by school officials to address it.

A:  1. The budget – work with the existing budget to allow the most bang for the buck. Keep existing programs and find innovative ways to get them the resources they need to best serve the students.  Also find areas where money, regardless of the amount, can be saved.

2. Policy and security – review existing policies and possibly create new ones that will best protect the students and the town. Apply policy and security fairly and consistently to all students and faculty within our system.

3. Building improvements -  make sure all of our schools are kept safe and up to code and can accommodate the needs of all students.  Particularly with a growing population, Woodland School  needs close examination to see what is needed to be able to serve long term goals.  Like with our own homes, investment in our school properties at the right time and with available funds will pay dividends for all in years to come.

Q: Have you ever held public office before? If so, what position and what years.

A: No. However, I have spent the past eight years as a volunteer coach in many of our local youth sport associations.  This has provided me with a great opportunity to bond with our children and their parents and to understand the many  facets involved in helping build successful programs for our youth.

Q:  What is the most important thing people should know about you?

A: I am a lifelong resident.  As the fourth generation of my family to reside in Milford, I am proud to raise my children here.  The education and values I learned growing up in Milford have provided me with the incredible opportunities I have had so far in my life.  I am excited to serve our students and tax payers and will work hard to maintain your trust.