To the editor:

For the past 14 years I have worked for a $30 million fine wine and spirits wholesaler. I am currently the director of operations and I am confident that with my experience of managing 3- plus employees daily I can be a huge benefit to the School Committee. I work and manage all aspects of the business and employees — from the front end, being the sales team and sales managers, to the back end — office and warehouse staff. I have spent years bringing teams together to reach common goals. It has always been my strongest asset to listen to all participants before developing a strategy.

People have asked me why I am running since I have no children in the school system. I have thought about running in the past, however, I decided against it after watching for too long the combative and contentious nature of the meetings. I want to be part of something productive where there is a free exchange of ideas and everyone works as a team. Teams don’t always agree but they work together, respect each other and in the end work in the best interest of all concerned.

I believe that the present climate on the committee with the district’s new superintendent does just that. This is a team of people that I would like to be a part of for the benefit of our children and community. I also believe in giving back to that community, especially one that I care about so much. I love the town of Westport and strongly believe that a good school, inside and out, is part of a community and the future. That is why I have decided to run for School Committee this year.

Education is extremely important to me and I want to ensure that our children get a quality education in a safe and clean environment. Secondly, and just as important, I want to make sure that the new school building is completed on time and within budget. The efficient completion of this building project is extremely important for the students and the taxpayers in our community. It is what was promised to them and I would like to be part of ensuring it is done.

I am confident that I have the skills, temperament and management experience that will be a complement to the School Committee with fresh ideas and perspectives. If elected, I am committed to doing the very best possible for the committee, the students and the community.

I have been asked, if elected, what would one goal be for the 3-year term. I would have to say that when the first class begins at the planned opening in 2021 that our students are extremely proud of what the town and community came together to build. That once the first senior class graduates they are proud to say they were the first graduating class from the new Junior/Senior High School and that the students moving from the junior high to the senior high are excited to move across that hall to the other side.

Michelle Orlando

Westport