Patch Candidate Profile: July Miliano, Danbury Board of Education

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

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

Administrative assistant/recruiter coordinator July Miliano, 44, is running for election to the Danbury Board of Education as a Republican. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, and is married with three children ages 13, 11 and 6.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Appointed

Why are you seeking this office?

Children's Education: As a mother of three, I am interested in ensuring that my children and all children in Danbury receive a high-quality education.

Community Involvement: Serving on the school board helps me to engage with my community and contribute to its development actively.

Advocacy for Students: I can advocate for policies and resources that benefit students, teachers, and schools.

Desire for Positive Change: As a board member, I want to address challenges and inequalities within the education system to create a more equitable and inclusive learning environment.

Commitment to Public Service: I have a strong sense of civic duty and a desire to give back to my community through public service.

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

As a dedicated Danbury Board of Education member, I am committed to taking proactive steps to address this challenge.

To tackle this issue, I intend to:

Enhance Educational Equity: I will work tirelessly to ensure that every student in our district has equal access to resources, opportunities, and a fair chance for success. This includes advocating for equitable funding, reducing achievement gaps, and promoting diversity and inclusion in our schools.

Strengthen Parent and Community Engagement: The active involvement of parents and the community is crucial to the success of our schools. I will strive to create more opportunities for meaningful engagement, including town hall meetings, surveys, and open forums to gather feedback and input.

Support Our Educators: Our teachers are the backbone of our educational system. I will advocate for competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and a positive working environment to attract and retain top-quality educators.

Modernize Curriculum and Technology: Our curriculum and technology infrastructure must stay up-to-date in an ever-changing world. I will work to ensure that our students have access to modern teaching tools and curriculum that prepares them for the upcoming challenges.

Transparent Communication: I will strive for transparent and open communication with constituents, keeping them informed about board decisions, policies, and the progress we make in improving education in Danbury.

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

Having a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and pursuing a master's degree in public administration equips me with a unique perspective on the educational system, child development, and public policy.

Parents should be free to choose the educational path that best suits their child's needs. I strongly support policies that enable parents to make informed choices about their child's education. This includes traditional public, charter, private, and homeschooling.

Every child is unique, and educational choice allows parents to find the learning environment that aligns with their child's needs, interests, and learning styles. Educational choice fosters healthy competition among schools, driving innovation and improvement in all educational settings.

Educational choice can help address achievement gaps by giving disadvantaged families access to options that might otherwise be out of reach. While advocating for choice, I also recognize the importance of maintaining high standards for educational institutions. Oversight and accountability mechanisms are crucial to ensure that all schools, regardless of their type, provide a quality education.

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

Lack of Transparency/ Educational Outcomes/ Budget and Fiscal Management/ Community Engagement/Teacher and Staff Relations

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

Infrastructure and Transportation/Diversity and Inclusion/ Youth and Recreation/Civic Engagement

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be the change you want to see in the world.

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

Charter School Supporter