Naugatuck Candidate Profile: Jeffrey Litke For Board of Education

NAUGATUCK, CT — Naugatuck's election season is heating up and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to get their name on the ballot for the city's municipal election. One of those contested races is the race for the Board of Education.

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

Jeffrey Litke, 38, is running for election to the Board of Education and is running as a Republican.

Are you running for office in Naugatuck? Contact Brian McCready at brian.mccready@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Naugatuck Patch.

Family: *

Husband, Andrew Cosenza

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? *

My mother, sister and aunt work for the Board of Education.

Education: *

Naugatuck High School - 1999 Graduate
University of Connecticut - Bachelor's in Political Science
University of New Haven - Master's of Public Administration

Occupation: *

Human Resources Generalist

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

Naugatuck Board of Education - Nov. 2017 - Present
Naugatuck Republican Town Committee - Jun. 2017 - Present
Naugatuck Inland Wetlands Commission - Oct. 2016 - Nov. 2017
Naugatuck Zoning Commission - Mar. 2007 - Sept. 2009

Campaign Website: *

https://www.facebook.com/Jeff4...

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

There are a number of issues facing our district, but one that stands out that has been brought up recently is our standardized test scores. Our teachers, administrators and support staff all do an amazing job in educating our students and we need to make sure that they have the tools necessary to help raise our test scores. This includes simple things from just lending our support to providing funding and applying for grants. We all need to work together as a community to support our students and school system. A successful school system will only help Naugatuck to grow and prosper.

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

I don't like to think of having differences between myself and the other candidates. I think that we all have our individual backgrounds and skill sets. These differences are what allow us to debate and discuss issues. I am always willing to listen to someone's opinions and point of view.

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

I have served on the Board of Education since November 2017 and over the last two years I have been a huge supporter of our school system and ensuring that we have a responsible budget that supports education, but also keeps the taxpayers in mind. I have supported adding programs such as the CNA program at the high school. I also supported expanding our school lunch programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to our students. The CNA program and many others allow our students to experience amazing educational opportunities. The school lunch program allows our students to know they will have a meal each school day. I will continue to support programs and initiatives that only enhance our students educational careers.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

To always keep an open mind. Keeping an open mind allows you to have respectful and honest debate and look at issues from other's points of view.

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

I am a proud product of the Naugatuck Public School system and I am honored to be able to give back to the school system that educated me. I was endorsed in my campaign by the LGBTQ Victory Fund because I am a voice for all of our students. If our school system is successful and supported then it will only be an asset to our Borough. I am committed to making sure that our taxpayers are always kept in mind, while also supporting our students.