Patch Candidate Profile: Erika Hayes , Canton Board of Education

CANTON, CT — Canton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Erika Hayes is running for Canton Board of Education as a Democrat.

The following is Hayes' questionnaire sent to Patch:

Name

Erika Hayes

How old will you be as of Election Day?

48

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

What city or town do you live in?

Canton, CT

What office are you seeking?

Canton Board of Education

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education

BA Psychology, MSEd Counseling; Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

What is your occupation?

Currently home manager, Prior Hospice Bereavement Counselor

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married to Stuart Hayes, two kids educated in the Canton Public Schools

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Yes, Appointed to BOE 2018, Elected to BOE 2019

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am running for re-election to continue to work as an experienced board member, with solid knowledge of how the areas of finance, policy and curriculum operate. I bring a thoughtful, well-informed and open-minded perspective to discussions that are oftentimes sensitive and nuanced. I make decisions based on what is best for the students of Canton without any kind of agenda. I listen to community members and provide direction to get situations addressed effectively. It is important to me to have a seamless transition under our new superintendent, and I believe seasoned board members can help with that process.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is space at Cherry Brook Primary School and the board will be finalizing a solution this year to be implemented for the 2024-25 school year.

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

It is important to note that there is a significant commitment of time required to do this job effectively and others have underestimated and underdelivered in this capacity. I am confident that I have the time to commit to doing the job well and I would urge constituents to consider whether others are able to make the same commitment.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I am an incumbent and I believe it is an asset for this position. It takes a while to learn the roles and responsibilities of a board member. It also takes time to understand how different areas under the board's supervision operate.

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

Other issues facing our schools include meeting the needs of our students within a responsible budget, navigating through our current political climate, attracting and retaining quality staff, and continuing to expand mental health services.

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

I have held BOE office for the last 5 years. I've served as Vice Chair for 1 year, Finance Committee Chair for 2 years, and Curriculum Committee Chair for 2 years. I chaired the Mascot Review Committee and also served as the liaison between the BOE and our student representatives for 2 years.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When you know better, do better.