East Haven Candidate Profile: MaryAnn Pellegrino for Board of Ed

EAST HAVEN, CT —East Haven’s election season is heating up.

East Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

MaryAnn Pellegrino, 75, is a Democrat running for reelection to the Board of Education.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.

No.

Education:

BA, University of St.Joseph; MS and 6th yr SCSU

Occupation:

Teacher 26 years in public education; currently lecturing at Gateway Community College

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Current member of East Haven Board of Education

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Hard to pick one issue. That said, I'll say transparent access by the public to the workings of the town and Board of Education. We are their elected representatives and owe them complete and open access except when personnel confidentiality might be compromised. I will always strive to be available to discuss any issues to which I have been a part.

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

I am one of five on the Democratic slate opposing five on the Republican slate. I firmly believe that our slate has the needs of the children and willingness to reach across the isle as our highest priority. Some of my colleagues across the isle seem to put loyalty to their party above all. We see the need to be fiscally responsible but will not let our students be asked to go without what they need to succeed.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Fiscal responsibility; improvement of standardized scores; lower absentee figures; 100% graduation rate; higher post high school enrollment rates; if something is working well in one school, implementing it in all schools.

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

Education has been my career and my passion since I graduated over fifty years ago. I have carefully kept myself current with all the newest educational developments. I have trouble using a graphing calculator, but I don't think that will effect my handling of this job.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Be yourself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I will always work for them and their children.

Are you running for office in East Haven? Contact Ellyn Santiago at ellyn.santiago@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to East Haven Patch.