Fairfield Candidate Profile: Jennifer Maxon Kennelly For BOE

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.

Jennifer Maxon Kennelly is running for Board of Education as a Democrat. She is an English teacher, a mother of three teenagers who attend or attended Fairfield schools, and has served on the board for eight years.

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.

- balancing the financial needs of our academic priorities with the facility demands of the district, including our health and safety concerns regarding district-wide air conditioning, mold prevention, and ongoing renovations.

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

I have a demonstrated approach of neither looking for nor expecting easy solutions.By the very nature of a "pressing issue," this matter calls for thoughtful questioning, "big picture" vision, a willingness to probe and consider multiple perspectives -- all of which I have shown consistent willingness to do with all matters before the Board.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

In my eight years of service to the BoE, I have tackled controversial policies and challenging academic and facility issues, and my approach has never wavered (see above answer!). I greatly respect our district's leadership and staff, but I was not elected to rubber stamp all their work; I believe I have a valuable perspective and offer insights and community understanding that serves this district and its decision making well.

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

* 29 year professional commitment to working in education, as both administrator and teacher
* Yearlong oversight and dialogue in bringing forward and approving the recent District Improvement Plan
* collaborating with staff and my fellow BoE members in crafting the recent Homework Policy
* overseeing a Policy audit; analyzing and acting on its recommendations
* providing leadership and support to the revised high school schedule
* eight years' worth of budget advocacy before all town bodies, as well as multiple staff contracts

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"It never hurts to ask" is my mother's mantra, which I have very much taken to heart.

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

I am always willing to listen to a different perspective, whether popular or not, and I will cast my votes only once I believe I have considered thoroughly all the alternatives, especially with controversial issues. I would hope that voters do not conflate a willingness to learn more, with a provocative intent to radically disturb the status quo. I don't believe education should ever tread water, but listening and building consensus are vital to effective change and moving all our learners closer to their potential.