Milford 2021 Candidate Profile: Meg Hornberger For School Board

MILFORD, MA — The Milford School Committee race is the most crowded field in the 2021 town election with five candidates, including two incumbents.

School Committee Vice Chair Meg Hornberger is vying for her second term. She won her seat in 2018 in a seven-way race, and was the most popular candidate earning close to 56 percent of the vote.

Next to Hornberger, incumbent Christopher Wilson is also trying to keep his seat. Meanwhile, RJ Sheedy, Matthew Zacchilli and Wilfredo Vasquez Jr are competing for a chance to take the seat being vacated by School Committee member Laura Ingemi — or perhaps knock off one of the incumbents.

We sent each candidate in the race a candidate questionnaire to help voters get to know them better. Here's how Hornberger answered:

Meghan Hornberger

Age (as of Election Day): 43
Position Sought: School Committee
Family: Brant (Husband), Robbie (13), Blake (8) and Max (5)
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? My husband, Brant, currently volunteers on the Milford Finance Committee.
Education: BA Psychology, Providence College; MS Accounting/MBA, Northeastern Unviversity
Occupation: Finance & Accounting (21 years); Certified Public Accountant
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: School Committee (2018 - current), Town Meeting Member (2019 - current)
Campaign website: http://www.facebook.com/meghornbergerforschoolcommittee

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for re-election as I hope to continue to serve our town. The Milford Public Schools represent the core of our community and the foundation of opportunity for our youth. Three years ago, I was honored to be elected to the School Committee. Over the past three years, I have been an open-minded and engaged committee member. While I am proud of the work I have done, there is much more to do. In my next term I will help re-define strategic priorities for our schools and oversee significant progress in long-term facilities investment. I will continue to be open-minded and responsive to all stakeholders.

The single most pressing issue facing our district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We face numerous challenges as a district, community and society. The most pressing issue today is the pandemic. Keeping our students and staff safe as we return everyone to school is a top priority. COVID has created numerous challenges that will need to be addressed as students return to school full-time; responding to social and emotional needs and moving children forward academically. We need to address funding priorities that were supported in the last budget cycle due to economic uncertainties at the time. While balancing these needs, we also must look forward; defining the strategic priorities for the district for the next 3-5 years and implement our plan to address key infrastructure needs.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a current School Committee member, I have three years of experience. During my first term I have demonstrated a willingness to work hard, actively listen and effectively collaborate. I believe these skills are incredibly valuable as a School Committee member.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a current School Committee member, I have arrived at meetings prepared, ready to engage and have never hesitated to ask difficult questions. I have consistently demonstrated my willingness to work hard to help solve our district’s challenges. For example:

• Knowing we needed a solid reopening plan; I was 1 of 2 School Committee representatives on the district’s reopening advisory committee last spring and summer. I have been a vocal advocate for vaccines for our staff and pooled testing in our schools.
• After being elected in 2018, I discovered the Committee had a policy to establish yearly goals, but had never done so. I led the process to drive this accountability. For the past three years our Committee has created and assessed goals for itself annually. These goals are posted on the district's website.
• Advocated for increased transparency in the budgeting and capital process.
• Consistently volunteered on interview panels to fill key vacancies in our district. Most recently, when we needed a new leader for the Stacy Middle School, I was 1 of 2 School Committee members on the interview committee.
• Proud to have been unanimously appointed to serve as the School Committee's Vice Chair for the current school year.