Berlin Candidate Profile: Cynthia Kobus

Name: Cynthia Kobus
Occupation/Employer: Former K-12 Teacher/ Adjunct Professor ECSU.  currently home with children
Incumbent/Newcomer: Incumbent
Other Political offices held and run for: Served on BOE from 2010 to present
Community Service: Religious Education teacher St Paul Church, Family Life committee St. Paul Church
Biggest issues facing the school system: Obviously, the High School renovation is the most pressing issue, but I hesitate to call it the most important.  To me, the most important issue our school system faces is maintaining and improving on our recent successes.  The completion and maintenance of a comprehensive and cohesive curriculum that ensures student success is most important to me.  This is a task that if done properly is never finished, and has the biggest impact on students.  Completing our High School is part of the process as that is where the 9-12 portion of our curriculum is taught, but it is important to remember that there are 9 other grades before high school and if we deliver unprepared students to a high school, new or not, we have failed in our mission.
Any areas of special interest that you would like to concentrate on if elected: During the past 2 years, I have been on the student achievement committee as I am a teacher and have a masters degree in Educational Leadership.  My heart is in student achievement and assuring we are doing our best.  That being said, I am willing to step up, wherever needed, to ensure we are doing the best job we can do. 
Anything else you would like to add about yourself and why you hope the voters will choose you? I can't promise that I will be able to fix every problem we may have.  I can't promise that the High School Project will smooth out from here on in and be finished in record time.  I can't promise that every taxpayer will be happy with every decision I make.  What I can promise is that I care.  I care about the mom of a Kindergartener who has to peel her child off of her leg crying every day and trust we will take care of him.  I care about the AP student in high school that wishes there were more for her.  I care about the taxpayer that cringes every June when they write their check to the town.  I care about getting things done by working together, not in opposition. 

I am a mother.  I have peeled a child off of my leg for years.  I am a teacher.  I have calmed tears and seen greatness.  I am a taxpayer.  I also cringe when writing my check, but can assure you that I feel confident that as far as education spending is concerned, I do my best to make sure it is money well spent. 

I am asking for your vote on Nov. 6th not because I want to win or I have further political aspirations.  I am asking for your vote so that I can help assure that the children of this town get an education that will enable them to be successful in the future while never losing sight of the fact that we all share in the responsibility to make it happen.