Patch Candidate Profile: Tracey Rinaldi, Board of Education

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Fairfield will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Fairfield Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Tracey Rinaldi

How old will you be as of Election Day?

42

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield, CT

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

Education.

I have a BA in Political Science from the University at Albany with a minor in Economics. I graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a Presidential Scholar. I also have a Juris Doctorate degree from the University at Buffalo Law School where I was in the top 25% of the graduating class.

What is your occupation?

Wealth Management Relationship Specialist

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married, mother of two in Fairfield Public Schools

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

The education budget is over 60% of our Town budget, and for good reason- the future and success of our children are top priority and always should be. That said, I am running because I believe we can strengthen our focus on improving the quality of academics, facilitate a more efficient use of the budget, and develop a stronger supportive dynamic between the Board of Education and the staff and teachers of FPS. I am passionate about getting back to the basics and lessening the achievement gap. As a sister of two teachers, I constantly seek out their advice on issues my own children are facing academically, and I believe we need a similar personal partnership between the Board of Ed members and FPS teachers, administrators, and staff when making decisions about the many issues our district faces.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

With regards to the educational system in Fairfield, I believe the largest issue we face is balancing the financial responsibilities of the taxpayers and the investment in each FPS student, while addressing an unprecedented post-pandemic era. We have spent the last 18 months or so trying to dig ourselves out of the learning loss and social emotional challenges that affected and continue to affect our children tremendously. We must work collaboratively with parents/guardians, school administrators and staff, and the Central Office to ensure the best use of the education budget and the curriculum to put our children first. This issue of balancing financial obligations and investing in our students include, but is not limited to, resolving the redistricting fiasco and reprioritizing the needs of students as individuals, both educationally and socially/emotionally.

As a member of the Board of Education, I will listen to the community and collaborate with the entire Board, Central Office, and our school administration to develop and implement solutions to address these issues head-on. I am committed to being a proactive, solutions-driven, committed partner with all stakeholders involved in these issues.

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

As a mother of two young children in FPS, I have a vested interest in both the short and long-term future of our school system and our children’s academic development from Pre-K through their entire FPS career. While not a practicing attorney, my academic career included constantly needing to read between the lines (and doing is quickly), collaborating and problem-solving on the spot and developing solutions with long-lasting implications. As a Relationship Specialist in the wealth management industry, many of my responsibilities include detailed financial analysis, intricate budget build-out, and personalized consultations with a variety of clients and personalities. I look forward to using my financial, legal, and personal strengths when managing differences in opinions, processes, and goals, all while having our students, families, and staff’s concerns best interests in mind. I look forward to learning form the other members of the Board and growing into my role on the Board.

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

Academics, redistricting, Mathematics

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

My greatest accomplishments are my children. I take pride in being actively involved and understanding their educational needs. Being able to add value and help not only my children but all children of Fairfield Public Schools to succeed, in however success best looks for the individual child. I am proud of my achievements in my career and am excited to use these experiences and skills to better the future of my children. I know there will be a very steep learning curve that I must scale to be effective at this job, and I think these include good study habits, listening skills and large amount of patience. My background, accomplishments, and humility in life are evidence that I can handle this job.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

“Regret the things you do, not the things you DON’T do”

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

I am an early bird and am usually up by 5am most days of the week. I am an avid Orangetheory member and you can find me at the earliest classes in Fairfield. Being active and focusing on your overall wellness provides a unique opportunity to add value in all areas of your life.