2026 Patch Candidate Profile: Zachary Fleitman For Darien Board Of Education

DARIEN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 3 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

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Zachary Fleitman, a Republican, is running for a seat on the Darien Board of Education.

Candidate's Name:

Zachary Fleitman

What office are you seeking?

Darien Board of Education

Age:

39

District:

Darien District 5, Connecticut 4 th Congressional District

Party:

Republican

Campaign website:

darienrepublicans.com/fleitman

Occupation:

CEO, Healthcare Technology Services

Family:

Wife and two sons, four and six years old

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office

Darien Youth Commission, Darien Representative Town Meeting

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm excited to watch my sons grow up in Darien Public Schools, and want to ensure it continues to be the best system for students to learn and develop.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:

Darien Public Schools's resources are being stretched thin, impairing our systems' ability to focus on its core mission of educating students. I will use our board's discretion to protect our administration from mandate-driven distractions. I will push to remove technology that doesn't meet the highest bar for student outcomes (including a screen-time audit and system-wide AI policy). Finally, I will use my CFO background to help support an appropriate and transparent budgeting process.

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

1. Experience on boards with governance responsibility. DPS employees hundreds, educates thousands, and manages a $130M budget. I have 15 years of relevant board leadership.
2. Local decision making. I believe Darien makes better decisions for its students than Hartford legislators.
3. The role of tech in schools. There is growing evidence that less is better. Efficiency and digital literacy are not justification for a tool which impairs learning.
4. The role of parents. Other candidates point parents with concerns to 'district policies'. I believe we should actively solicit parental feedback to understand our strengths and weaknesses.

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

1. Returning our schools' focus to foundational skill sets.
2. Addressing parents' need to spend money on tutors, coaches, extra-curriculars.
3. Ensuring our strategic plan has focused, measurable goals & benchmarks against which we can assess progress.

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

I've been a board member, led operations, and owned financial functions for multiple successful healthcare, education, & technology organizations.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen twice and speak once.

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

I believe I bring a unique combination of experience and perspective to the Board of Ed. I have deep technological expertise, have owned budgeting processes, and will have the youngest children, and thus longest-term orientation on the board.