Fairfield Candidate Profile: Christine Vitale 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.

Christine Vitale is running for Board of Education as a Democrat. She is currently the chair of the board and is the parent of three children who attend or attended Fairfield schools. Vitale's professional background is in management consulting and bookkeeping.

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 uncertainty in state funding continues to be a pressing issue for our school district and our town. Despite the reduction in state aid, we must remain committed to investing in education. High quality schools impact our property values, attract an educated work force, and impact the local economy. I will continue to advocate for our schools and work with the Superintendent to put forth a fiscally responsible budget which represents the community's values and priorities.

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

Having only served a two-year term, I am in the unique position to offer both experience and a somewhat fresh perspective. My past experience as a PTA President of Fairfield Ludlowe High School and Roger Ludlowe Middle School, has given me the opportunity to build strong relationships with all stakeholders within the school community. I have been a FPS parent for 17 years, and I have 8 more years to go. I come to the table with a understanding of the past and an invested interest in the future.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Focus on Facilities: facilities utilization, fast tracking HVAC upgrades and identifying future location for the ECC, WFC and CPP.

Working with the new Superintendent to help develop a new District Improvement Plan which will make the Vision of a Graduate a reality for all children.

Support for Social Emotional Learning Initiatives to improve student well being and promote positive school climate

Engaging the community to address the district's racial imbalance

Continue to improve communication and partnerships with the larger Fairfield community.

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

As the current Chair of the Board of Education, I have fostered a spirit of bipartisan collaboration and have lead the Board through the budget process, a successful search for a new Superintendent, and the approval of the capital request for the Mill Hill Building Project.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

To be a success on the Board of Education, you should strive to keep students as the central focus of all decision making.

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

If reelected, I will continue to be a vocal advocate for all children and work to ensure that our neighborhood schools provide a safe, healthy, enriching environment for teaching and learning.