Middleboro School Committee candidate: Shannon Breen

MIDDLEBORO — Collecting enough signatures to run for this year's Middleboro School Committee after falling short last election, Candidate Shannon Breen has hopes to put the community at the forefront if elected.

Breen, a certified human resource professional, moved to Middleboro in 2018. She said she likes being in a leadership role and how every day isn’t the same. She has two children, whom she vocally advocates for. Both attend Middleboro Public Schools.

In her time as a parent in the district, she has been in frequent contact with the schools regarding personal differences with 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs. She said open communication is important, and wishes to continue that if elected.

“If there were a punch card for going up to Middleboro High School, I would definitely have one,” Breen said. “The schools have gotten better. I think it’s just me standing up for what I believe in — what I want for my own children — which I think is important for someone on the School Committee.”

Letting parents voice their concerns, sharing where money is going to taxpayers and ensuring the committee isn’t one-sided are items Breen has had issues with and things she wishes to address if she wins the seat.

Breen there needs to be someone impartial on the committee, adding after the Covid pandemic she finds that parents, administrators and committee are hyperfocused on the wrong things.

“I think we kind of lost our way a little bit. Attending meetings — watching meetings, it’s clear that nobody's on the same page,” she said.

The committee and district have had some controversy in the last year. Superintendent Carolyn Lyons was under fire from some for seeking a position within Mansfield School District.

While Breen vouches for Lyons performance in her time as superintendent, she sees the hot-button issues from the human resource perspective. She wants to make sure Lyons is dedicated and doesn’t feel stuck in her position and town because she couldn’t leave the district.

“What it really boils down to right now is her overall commitment to the Town of Middleboro, and is that commitment there?” She said, “Just like in human resources, when someone is looking to leave, I feel like they’re no longer invested in the company.”

A long-term goal Breen wants to focus on, if she wins a seat, is to see kids learn practical skills. She advocates for classes and courses that teach skills such as check balancing, sewing and cooking.

“There used to be shop class — there was home economics — there was basic accounting. All of these things we don’t do anymore,” she said. “I want my children to succeed academically, but I know school isn’t the most important thing to them and that not everybody is good at school.”

Having been involved within the school district, Breen said she hopes the committee can have trust back from the community and the town.

“I feel terrible that parents feel like they have to go to other parents to ask for assistance. That means they’re not getting it from where they should be getting it from,” she said.

The Middleboro School Committee elections will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Breen is running against incumbent Christopher Benson and newcomer Abbie Gonzalez.