Fairfield Candidate Profile: Bonnie Rotelli For School Board

FAIRFIELD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Fairfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Fairfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will continue covering the races as Election Day draws near.

Bonnie Rotelli is running for Board of Education as a Republican. She is an administrative assistant, has two children and currently represents RTM District 4.

Are you running for office in Fairfield? Contact Anna Bybee-Schier at anna.bybee-schier@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Fairfield Patch.

Candidate responses appear as they were received and have not been edited by Patch staff.

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

The most pressing issue facing our Board of Education is space and facility issues. I intend to work collaboratively to develop a new Long Range Facilities plan that addresses the programming, maintenance and safety needs of the district.

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

I have tremendous respect for all of the candidates running for Board of Education this year. I bring years of volunteering and advocacy to the table. From co chairing the ECC parent group, to running Kindergarten transition meetings, to Executive Board positions for the Special Education PTA and Stratfield PTA which include fundraising, BOE Rep, BOE Budget Rep, programming and Secretary. I am also currently a District 4 RTM representative. I have a genuine desire to keep Fairfield Public Schools a positive, safe environment for all children.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

The District Improvement Plan is due to come before the BOE and I would love to be involved in that process. We have ongoing issues with racial imbalance and redistricting which I believe we can advocate at the State level to help our kids remain in their neighborhood schools. I think there is an opportunity to continue to push this at the State level instead of being subject to an antiquated law that lacks the support of the school community it's supposedly helping.

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

I have worked collaboratively with my fellow PTA executive board members for years to bring programs and funding to the everyday functionality of our schools. I have been a very active BOE Rep and parent advocate at BOE meetings and other Town bodies here in Fairfield for the last 10 years and I believe between my own experience with my children and my knowledge of current issues we are and will be facing, I can be an effective advocate for our students.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Treat everyone as you wish to be treated.

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

I have been a resident of Fairfield for the past 17 years and currently have two middle school aged daughters. I'm well versed on the current issues facing the Board of Education and the Town at large and I promise to work diligently to continuously improve our schools.