Freddie Williams
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in Middletown in 1979, my family moved to Scotchtown but I returned to Middletown. I set deep roots in this community and I consider myself a lifelong resident. My greatest passion is serving as a mentor and coach to the young people of Middletown. So much so, my business 6 West Barbershop in downtown Middletown, has become a hub for community service.
The time I worked at the YMCA and Middletown Parks and Recreation set me on a path to community activism. I have served as a mentor for My Brother’s Keeper, and later on founded the non-profit Middletown Youth Sports. In addition, our efforts in mentorship and community service was recognized by leaders like Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Congressman Pat Ryan, and County Executive Steve Neuhaus. Today, I continue to be committed to my mission of ensuring our children have every opportunity to thrive.
Why are you running for the board of education?
I am running for a third term because I want to be instrumental in restoring stability, integrity, a moral compass, and transparency to the board. We accomplished much, but I believe our work is not yet finished. This past year has brought turbulence to the board. We need to return our focus entirely on the mission we were elected to uphold.
If you win a seat, what is your first priority?
My first priority is to reprioritize the needs of our scholars and staff. When our educators feel supported and valued, they can bring their best version of themselves to the classroom, becoming the trusted mentors our young people need. Mutual respect creates a foundation where both students and staff can excel.
How do you ensure that all stakeholders are heard by the board?
There are established policies for communication within the district, and it is important that the community knows that. Although I strongly believe we can do better. I propose hosting town halls for our parents, staff, and community members. These forums will provide a safe space for trustees to listen directly to their concerns and offer the clear, honest answers our community deserves.
What are your goals for the board and school district moving forward?
My ultimate goal is to prioritize "psychological safety" for every student and staff member, as I believe a safe, supportive environment is integral to productivity and success.
For the district, I want to look beyond graduation rates as a measure of success. I propose a new initiative to track and support our graduates one year after they graduate. By checking in on a diverse group of students whether they went to college, trade school, the military, or the workforce, we can measure how their twelve years in our district prepared them for adulthood. Our success should not be measured by data points on a chart, but by the real-world success of our children.