Madison Candidate Profile: Katie Stein, Board of Education

MADISON, CT — Madison’s election season is heating up.

Madison Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Katie Stein, 47, 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.

No

Education:

BS in Child Development with a concentration in early childhood education and child life

Occupation:

Certified Child Life Specialist (25 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Board of Education

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

I think the most pressing issue in our town is our shifting demographics. We need to attract more families to town and make responsible investments in the initiatives that will bring this to fruition. The BOE just unanimously passed a comprehensive approach to facilities that will come to referendum in 2020. It will be a priority of this coming term to communicate the details of this plan and the repercussions of its failure at referendum.

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

I have been disappointed that the opposition leadership has made it clear that they do not support an investment in schools. Moreover, it seems they are comfortable with low value expenditures (exorbitant maintenance) in the name of potential short-term savings.
It will be my continued goal to reach out to the other boards to work collaboratively on this complex problem.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

The most important characteristic that will define my tenure as a board member will be a commitment to bipartisan collaboration. Last year the BOE came together and worked through some of the toughest issues facing the district. The issues for this coming term are no less challenging and working towards effective compromise will continue to be of the utmost importance.

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

Two years ago I accepted the role as BOE chair. When I took the post, the board was struggling to find a common voice and to work together effectively. During my time as chair I have helped to effect the necessary changes in transparency and communication that have created a much more successful board. Together, we have worked together to create the TriBoard working group, a bipartisan multi-board initiative, to tackle the complex issues surrounding our deteriorating school buildings.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

No one has ever become poor from giving. Be kind always.

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

Children and their welfare has long been a priority for me. In addition to my term on the BOE, I have had a 25 year career as a Child Life Specialist for YNHH. I have been a volunteer for religious education at St. Margaret’s, and was recently appointed as a regional director for Child Disaster Relief services. All of these roles require an understanding of children and a willingness to advocate on their behalf. I know that if re-elected I will bring this diversity of experience and make the best decisions possible for the children of Madison.


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