Glastonbury Election 2023: Alison Couture, Board of Ed

GLASTONBURY, CT — Alison Couture is running for a seat on the Glastonbury Board of Education in the 2023 election.

Name

Alison Couture

How old will you be as of Election Day?

41

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.glastonburydems.co...

What city or town do you live in?

Glastonbury

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

AS, SPHR

What is your occupation?

Human Resources Leader, 16 years

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

Husband, Michael; three children, Charlotte (12), Luke (10), Axel (8)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Yes, current Board of Education Member, elected in 2019

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?

I am committed to sustaining Glastonbury’s high level of education, and ensuring students, parents, and teachers receive the right level of support to ensure they are successful now, and in the future. Implementing responsible solutions has been my primary focus the past four years, and I am very proud of the different initiatives we have put into place that support. A holistic experience - examples include launching our student support centers focused on mental health, the early learning center established during Covid to help teachers return to work, and expanding our LINKS program. I am also passionate about the environment and fostering connection between our students and their broader community.

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

Varying needs of students and families following Covid (stress, loss of learning, financial, etc). I plan to continue to partner with families and administrators to understand opportunities and implement practical solutions to help meet students, families and teachers where they are.

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

I bring four years of experience on the board of education. I am also a parent within the district who participates in PTO, and our Community Connector Group intended to foster deeper community connections with our Open Choice families. My experience from a high-level strategic standpoint, and as a constituent allows me a balanced and thoughtful perspective.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

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

Sustainability is a point of passion for me. This remains top of mind as we evaluate opportunities for composting programs, electric buses, and a sustainability assessment to better understand opportunities that balance cost savings with minimizing our impact on the environment.

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

My previous board of education focused on both policy and practicing fiscal responsibility while setting and managing to our budget.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Assume good intent. Every parent that approaches us with a concern is truly advocating in the best interest of their children. It’s our duty as board members to listen, learn, and take our holistic understanding to help inform thoughtful decisioning.

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

I am extremely proud of Glastonbury, our board of education, teachers and administrators, and what we have delivered to date. I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve these past four years, and look forward to continuing the work!