Last modified: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 2:19 AM EDT New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft reads to the children as Emily Melanson, 2 of Plainville, listens at the weekly Patriots’ Place Kids Club event recently at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Foxboro schools thank Kraft BY FRANK MORTIMER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF FOXBORO - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft made a rare appearance before the school committee recently to accept an award for his organization's years of support for education in Foxboro. In accepting the honor, Kraft said the nation is falling short in educating its children, but that the Foxboro community's investment in education is evident and he's proud to be part of it. "I don't think we're doing a great job in this country," Kraft said. "We have done a poor job in America and we have to compete globally." Turning to Foxboro High School freshman Edward Shine, a student representative to the school committee, Kraft said that in later life the young man will appreciate "growing up in a town like this." The school committee nominated Kraft for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' Outstanding School Partner Award. Announcing the award, Superintendent Christopher Martes praised The Kraft Group for its many ways of boosting learning in Foxboro - including through FACES, a group co-founded by selectman candidate Larry Harrington. April 27, the day of the presentation to Kraft, was Harrington's last night on the committee. "In this time of financial constraints, FACES becomes even more important in funding programs which cannot be funded through the annual school budget," Martes read from the nomination letter. To benefit FACES, Martes said, the Kraft Group hosted a kick-off gala last spring that raised $150,000, and offered to hold a repeat event in this spring. This enabled FACES to fund projectors and media carts, and award grants to teachers, he said. Without mentioning Harrington by name, Kraft himself also noted the work FACES is doing, and his pleasure in helping in some "small way." "Mr. Robert Kraft and the Kraft Group have been avid supporters of the Foxboro community and education for many years," Martes said. "They have donated funds, provided services, have stepped in without hesitation when there was a need within Foxboro, and have initiated programs to benefit the residents of Foxboro. "The Kraft Group has been involved in many facets of the community and has been an avid supporter of the Foxboro Public Schools." Among other efforts cited by Martes, the Kraft Group: Helped create an Academic All Star Team to recognize achievement. Established the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation Scholarship at FHS. Hosts the new teacher orientation luncheon each August. Hosts a retreat for school administrators. Opened The Hall at Patriot Place, and gave Foxboro students special access to this high school and professional hall of fame. Touted on its Web site as "the crown jewel of Patriot Place and the only sports and education experience of its kind in the world," The Hall is "presented" by Raytheon Co., a firm where Harrington is a vice president. "Raytheon is proud of its association with the New England Patriots and our opportunity to help the youth of New England make the connection between math and science and the excitement of sports," Raytheon chairman and CEO William H. Swanson said recently. Swanson joined Kraft, chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, and Patriots inside linebacker Jerod Mayo in judging a sports science fair at the stadium. "The projects are very impressive, and it is encouraging to see these young students excited by science," Kraft said at the fair. "As a country, we are not graduating nearly enough scientists and engineers to compete in a global economy that is increasingly reliant on a high tech workforce. This is an issue that is especially relevant to New England. "The work that Raytheon is doing with programs like this, getting kids excited about potential careers using math and science skills, is exceptional. We are proud to partner with them on Science of Sports and with other math and science education opportunities at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon." Given his bid for election to the Board of Selectmen this Monday, Harrington was willing to answer questions on how his employment at Raytheon and his experience with The Kraft Group may come into play at Town Hall. In an email interview, Harrington said he can take no credit for Raytheon's activities with Kraft. "My job responsibilities have never, and are not likely to ever, involve Mr. Kraft or his organization," Harrington said. "I have no involvement with the Kraft organization or any other individual or group which would prevent me from being impartial as selectman and am looking forward to the chance to prove it." During two terms as a Mansfield selectman, Harrington noted, he worked with what then was the Great Woods performing arts center. "We dealt with all the same things we have here with the stadium in terms of police, fire, traffic, license, and so forth," he said. "My municipal experience, my non-profit experience and my business experience help me when it comes to negotiating with businesses like the Krafts, Invensys, or others. I think it is my overall experience that helps in these situations." Invensys Process Systems received a previous MASC award, based on the school committee's nomination.