Jason MacLaughlin - Candidate For Bethlehem Board of Education

Like many residents of the BCSD, the quality of the school district was the primary reason we moved here, and we certainly haven’t regretted that decision. I am running for the Board to provide a fresh perspective of a leader who has spent his entire career solving complex issues in large organizations.

My professional focus is providing the best possible IT solutions to hospitals and other healthcare organizations. I have managed and led large-scale implementation projects all over the US and have had the opportunity to work in over 20 states. These experiences have taught me the value of vision, negotiation, effective communication, consensus building, and positivity. I consider myself a detail-orientated leader who always has an eye on the big picture and who takes great pride in knowing that I help doctors and nurses care for their patients by giving them the best possible tools. Currently, I am a manager in the IT department at Berkshire Health Systems in Pittsfield, MA.

My wife Christine and I have four kids, Jack is finishing his junior year in college, and Leah, Jude, and Cole are in the district. My wife and I enjoy volunteering at school events and I am one of the Directors of the Bethlehem Basketball Club (BBC) where I also coach multiple teams a year.

Campaign Priorities

BCSD’s significant resources should be used to provide ALL students with the best possible educational experience. In conversations with parents, I hear consistent feedback that getting appropriate services for their children has been a struggle. Christine and I have also experienced this first-hand.

No two people learn the same way. Some students struggle with traditional educational methods for reasons other than their intelligence or drive. The district should provide our kids the opportunity to explore alternative education practices and look at options beyond exams and standardized tests.