“I’ve got two kids in the school district. I’m very interested in their education … it’s something I’ve actually thought about before. I think Fairfield’s a great school system. We can always make it better, we can always improve it. I just thought it would be an excellent opportunity to get involved,” Begley said.
Not that he hasn’t already been involved. Begley is a lifelong resident of the city, having graduated from Fairfield High School in 1983. He is a member of Fairfield Rotary, which works closely with the school system, and he’s a member of the Fairfield Community Foundation board. He is also a past president of Senior Citizens Inc., which later became Partners in Prime.
His two kids are Lyndsay, who is entering sixth grade, and Caitlyn, who will be a freshman. His wife Barbara is the PTC president at Fairfield Intermediate School.
“Being involved in those other boards really teaches you to lead by committee. I think a good school board is just that. I think the the win-win comes out when we all work together for the same solutions and don’t do that job with an ego,” he said.
Once Begley was selected from four candidates last week, the board wasted no time in getting him involved, having him serve in that night’s work session, which included a presentation on the new buildings. The district is building replacements for Central Elementary and the Freshman School, as well as a second new elementary school.
“That was a bit of a wild ride in that I walked in the door to interview and walked out the door some five hours later,” he said, noting he sat through and voted in a meeting and an executive session.
But that very level of activity was why Begley wanted to be on the board.
"I think it's a really exciting time for the school system. We've got three schools being built. We've got a health clinic, the first of it's kind in a suburban school in the entire United States, coming online. In very short order, we're going to christen the new football stadium," he said.
One prominent member of the community has great confidence in Begley. Mayor Steve Miller not only attended high school with Begley, but both graduated in 1983.
“I’ve known Brian since we were kids. He’s always been a great guy, and I think he’ll do a great job on the school board. He and his wife are really good members of the community,” Miller said.
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