Michelle “Mimi” Roche is seeking re-election and has served as Chair of the Communications Committee, Treasurer, and has sat on the Finance and Enrollment committees. Mimi was a career corporate banker and has been very involved in the community. She was PTO President at Center and Lyme schools and was the PAB Chair at the high school. Currently Mimi is the President of the Valley Regional/Lyme Old Lyme Touchdown Club. She is seeking re-election because she enjoys the work and believes that she provides a unique voice, continually seeking equity and the opportunity for excellence for all children.
Why are you running for the Region 18 Board of Education?
It’s very simple why I am running for re-election; I really enjoy the work. When I was elected four years ago, I attended a CABE (Connecticut Association for Boards of Education) conference where new board members were taught that first and foremost our responsibility is to the children of our district. I have taken this very much to heart. I believe that I provide a unique voice on the board. While Region 18 does a fabulous job in producing and recognizing the highest achieving students, I have consistently suggested that there are a wide variety of children and interests in our district that could be celebrated more. My recommendations strongly contributed to the formation of a new program aimed at supporting expelled students in a more complete manner, and in requesting the Lyme-Old Lyme Education Foundation to provide funding so that all students have the ability to attend SAT preparation classes in house.
My husband, Roger and I have two sons. The oldest is a Junior at NYU and our youngest is a Senior in the High School. I currently serve as the Touchdown Club President for the Valley Regional/Lyme-Old Lyme football co-op, and as those who know me can attest I am a fierce supporter of the football team. I have for many years attended and supported many of the other teams and programs at Region 18 – I can often be seen at boys and girls soccer and lacrosse games, at choral and band concerts even though my children aren’t musical. I know many of the young people and folks in town, and I believe that people feel comfortable approaching me at these functions to voice concerns and opinions about our schools. I consistently bring this information back to the board and the administration.
Why should someone vote for you?
I come from a family of educators. My father was Superintendent of a county of schools in Virginia, my mother an elementary school teacher and my sister is currently a K-6 Principal. I am passionate about education, and have been heavily involved in Region 18’s school system for the past 15 years. Before serving on the board, I was asked as an interested citizen to sit on the committees that hired Jim Wygonik and Michelle Dean, the Principal and Assistant Principals at the high school, respectively. I sat on the original enrollment committee that met numerous times over several months and whose work resulted in the re-districting plan that was enacted. I participated in several budget forums and strategic planning initiatives. I know this district and its needs well.
In my role as Communications Chair, and in response to declining enrollment, I have recently been working with Ian Neviaser, Superintendent exploring ways to market our district to keep existing children in our community here while attracting families to move to Region 18 or send their children as tuition paying students. I am very much looking forward to continuing this work.
I believe strongly in the existence of a diverse board of education and do not believe that political affiliation should influence Board of Education members in any way. With the loss of Jim Witkins, long time chair and Sara Smalley from the board who are not running for re-election, there will be at least two brand new members to the board. With the exception of Paul Fuchs (who is also running in this election) and Beth Jones, the entire rest of the board was newly elected two years ago. I believe that my level of experience, commitment to and knowledge of Region 18 makes me a wise choice for voters.