Jim Muse originally ran for Mattapoisett School Committee 12 years ago “as a means of giving back to the community” and to a town to which he was “very proud and thankful for the great education” it afforded.

Now running for a fifth three-year term, Muse said he was particularly impressed with the school system’s administration and staff – both then and now – which he thinks is “doing a fantastic job.”

“I have a certain knowledge and skill set that affords me the ability to provide some support, which is the biggest thing that a School Committee member can do — is to support and find ways to advance and improve the educational opportunities for everybody in the town,” Muse said.

A Mattapoisett resident for 34 years, Muse said the School Committee’s biggest accomplishment in recent years was the hiring of Superintendent Michael Nelson to an extended contract.

Mattapoisett schools are in “excellent shape” both in terms of leadership and teachers, according to Muse.

“I have full confidence in that if you don't have…compassionate and empathetic leaders, then the school system is in trouble,” Muse said. “And we certainly are not.”

Muse has two sons that went through the Mattapoisett school system. He’s also a member of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee.

Muse said the priority as a School Committee member is to “provide the necessary funding to continue to provide the opportunities we have” and that for the past 12 years, Mattapoisett has had “excellent schools.”

“We continue to provide great opportunities,” Muse said. “We continue to have great teachers, staff and administrators. And the success of the schools will be predicated upon that, and I hope that the town votes for me and votes for a budget that will support that.”