We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running for election on Nov. 3, 2015.

Dave Pauluk. Submitted photo

Compiled by Ronni Newton

We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to “Meet the Candidate” – designed to help them get to know the candidates running for office in the Nov. 3, 2015 municipal election.

Identical questionnaires have been sent to all major party candidates, and each profile received has been submitted directly to We-Ha.com by the candidate or the candidate’s campaign management. The responses have not been edited but have been formatted to match our publication style. Questions left blank have been deleted.

As profiles are received, they will be published on We-Ha.com under the “Government” tab. We-Ha.com is not making endorsements of any political candidates but we are publishing this information in order to assist West Hartford voters in being informed and prepared when they go to the polls on Nov. 3.

If you are a candidate and wish to submit a profile, please return it by email to Ronni Newton at [email protected] ASAP.

Name: Dave Pauluk

Age: 51

Party, position seeking: Democrat, Board of Education

Family information: We’ve lived in West Hartford for 15 years. My wife, Becky, teaches at Duffy, our son, Lucas, is in 9^th grade at Conard, and our daughter, Alison, is in 7^th grade at Bristow.

Other occupation, if applicable:  Business Project Specialist at Cigna.

Political experience: This is my first run for elected office.

Other relevant experience: I’ve been a school volunteer for over 10 years, having served as PTO President, Co-President, and Treasurer. I’ve been a representative to the West Hartford Scholarship Fund, and have also volunteered with the Bristow and Webster Hill Tools for Schools programs, an EPA initiative to ensure a healthy learning environment in our schools to reduce absenteeism, improve test scores and enhance student and staff productivity. I also have classroom experience, having spent 5 years teaching English in Japan

Why are you running for office? With Bruce Putterman and Terry Schmitt stepping down from the Board of Ed after 12 years of service, we need strong voices to continue the positive momentum West Hartford Public Schools have developed. As someone who has been involved with our schools in many capacities, I know I can use my knowledge and experience to ensure we keep our schools on the right track.

What issue(s) are your primary area of focus? I’m especially interested in the physical condition of our school buildings. As the Charter Oak building project moves to completion, we need to consider the next steps for our other school buildings. Should we spread improvement money among the different schools, or focus on the next school that’s most in need of repair? I look forward to learning the needs of all our schools and helping ensure we move in a direction that’s both equitable and a responsible use of our taxpayers’ money.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? The biggest issue our town and school district faces is change. The town’s demographics are changing. The property tax base is changing. The way our children learn is changing. We can’t ignore these changes we’re seeing. We need to embrace and address them as our town and schools continue to evolve. As a member of the Board of Education, I’ll work to ensure we make the best choices to make the most of these changes to keep our schools at the top.

What do you feel differentiates you from other candidates also running for this position? As the father of two children in West Hartford Public Schools, the spouse of a teacher, an Army veteran, and a business person who spent the first five years of my career teaching overseas, I’ll bring a unique perspective to the Board of Education. My background and experience have taught me to not only ask tough questions when necessary, but to also listen to the answers. I’ll work to serve with no preconceived notions. My only agenda is to work in the best interests of our children, our schools, and our town.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!