MIDDLEBORO — Susan Pennini said her run for School Committee has been years in the making.

Her father, Dick Wilmot, served on the committee for about 12 years and her mother was very involved in parent-teacher organizations and the League of Women Voters.

“My parents instilled in me the importance of being committed to your community,’’ she said.

Raising her children and working in education kept her busy. For 40 years, she worked in administration at Curry College, where her tasks included negotiating contracts and leading strategic planning. She has also been a public school teacher.

Now she is retired and has time to serve. “I care deeply about Middleboro,’’ she said. Her children attended the Middleboro schools and her grandchildren are currently enrolled in the system. “What Middleboro has given me I highly value and I want to give back.’’

She considers her educational experience an asset to the position. She said she dedicated her entire professional life to ensuring that students are able to succeed.

Respectful interactions with the community matter, she said. “I will try to work with people in town, my fellow School Committee members, teachers and staff, whether we agree or disagree, so we can do the best we can for our kids.’’

She also said she has “heard the concerns from community members who believe there has been a lack of transparency from both the Superintendent and the School Committee.’’

She noted that she does not have enough information to express an opinion on what happened in the past but “I am committed to assuring that appropriate information about the administration of the school system is shared at our meetings and through other means of communication.’’

She said she would “always pay close attention to those who reach out to me personally, direct them to the appropriate person to have their suggestions and concerns addressed, and follow up if they believe they have not had a proper hearing’’ of their concerns.

Overall, she said, in meeting with parents, she has heard positive feedback about the schools and teachers. For the most part, she said, “their children have been well served by the teachers they’ve had.’’ 

She said she has a deep faith and a strong belief in creating communities that “care about and support one another.’’

In the school community, she stated, that means remembering that “all children are valued and created with strengths that we can build upon’’ to ensure they find success.