Patch Candidate Profile: Robert Fischetto, Brookfield Board of Ed

BROOKFIELD, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Brookfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Brookfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Assistant Principal Robert Fischetto, 46, is running for election to the Brookfield Board of Education as a Republican. He holds two master's degrees and is the father of three children, ages 17, 14 and 10.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m seeking this position in office so I can have a say in the important decisions being made regarding education in our town. I want to use my educational experience and background to help our schools be a place where students want to be and not some place they are forced to be.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is _____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

School Budget and Books. I plan on making sound decisions from a common sense standpoint to ensure our constituents are happy. We need to find common ground on the topic of budgets and what books belong on the shelves in our libraries. I plan on working with the key stakeholders involved to make sure we do what is best for all the constituents of our town.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The major differences between myself and the other candidates is my experience in education and my willingness to work with everyone, regardless of party affiliation. I don’t feel politics should be played when it comes to our schools and the children who attend our schools. I feel my lack of experience as an actual politician is what makes me the best candidate. My goal is not to play politics - My goal is to help make policies that will benefit everyone who attends the schools in our town.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

It’s hard to predict what issues will arise during our campaign. I plan on addressing any issues/problems that come about throughout the campaign experience as well as during my time on the Board.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The major accomplishments in my past I can cite as evidence I can handle this job would be my 23 years as an educator for the New York City Department of Education. I started out as a computer teacher and I’ve worked my way up to be an administrator at the district level as well as at the school level. I’ve seen and been a part of a lot of different policies and procedures rolled out in schools in order to enact change. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I want to use my knowledge and experience to help form the best possible decisions for the schools in my community.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Always keep moving forward…

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I do my best to keep things simple and not over complicate anything. My goal is to work with the team on the Board to make sound decisions regarding what’s best for the young adults in our community. I’m a forward thinking educator when it comes to how we teach our children but also conservative when it comes to what values we are teaching them as well. My goal is to move education forward with innovative ideas and strategies to ensure school is where our young adults want to be - Not just a place they are forced to go to everyday.