Guilford Candidate Profile: Katie Balestracci For Board of Ed

Guilford, CT —Guilford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Katie Balestracci, 52, is a Democrat running for reelection to the Board of Education.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.

None

Education:

BA from Haverford College, MSW from University of Connecticut, PhD from Yale University in Epidemiology and Public Health

Occupation:

Research Faculty at Yale School of Medicine for 17 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

2 terms on the Board of Education, first elected in 2011

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

As I am running for re-election to the Board of Education, I will answer in the context of our school system: while maintaining the excellence of Guilford Public Schools that we prioritize the health and well-being of all our students. With over ten years of my career in child mental health services research, I am well-positioned to inform the ongoing process of identifying and supporting approaches and programs that allow our administration, faculty and staff to support our students' mental health as we promote their academic success. For the last two academic years, the Board of Education and the administration of Guilford Public School has identified student wellness as a top priority, and it is my intention to continue that focus.

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

This is an uncontested election, which allows the candidates to focus on priorities for maintaining the excellence of and areas of improvement for Guilford Public Schools rather than focusing on our differences. For my eight years of service on the Board of Education, I have experienced a collaborative and collegial relationships between all members, regardless of party, and I fully expect this approach among Board members to continue following this election.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I will continue to advocate for and support courses and programs that provide opportunities for students to develop and excel in areas of study beyond traditional academic fields, such as: music, the arts, computer science, and woodworking. We have the responsibility to educate young people who come to us with a variety of interests and talents, and I advocate for a school system that can support their individual growth and potential.

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

I have served on the Board of Education for 8 years. In that time, I have: served as Chair of the Policy Committee for 6 years; served on the Operations Committee; participated in several union contract negotiations and several principal searches; and been a liaison to the Health Advisory Committee. As a Board during this time, our accomplishments include: the initiation of full-day Kindergarten, an International Baccalaureate program at Guilford High School, study of and attention to our approaches to both special education and to high potential learners, and the growth of a highly successful in-house approach to professional development for teachers with literacy and math coaches.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Always put people first.

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

It is most beneficial to our children and to our community when we take responsibility for developing successful students and lifelong learners but also community-minded citizens. I advocate for continuing to take educational approaches and provide opportunities for our students to develop global perspectives and an interest in, openness to and respect for diverse experiences and people.

Are you running for office in Guilford? Contact Ellyn Santiago at ellyn.santiago@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Guilford Patch.