Meet the Candidates: Kaitlyn Hayes for Board of Education

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Kaitlyn Hayes is a wife, mother, and former business executive who ran the US Division of a Paris-based multi-national skincare company and has thrown her hat into the ring to run for Ridgefield Board of Education on the Republican ticket. She said she chose to run because she has "a passion for volunteerism, policy, advocacy and action."

"People describe me as a mover and shaker, ethical, solution-oriented and compassionate. I can stretch a dollar and am known for getting things done on time, within budget. At no cost to Ridgefielders, I raised $50,000 to build an inclusive playground at Barlow Mountain Elementary and obtained approval for the inclusive play structure built at Farmingville Elementary. While on the Board of Ridgefield Education Foundation, I doubled their endowment. As a PTA Executive Board member, I advocated for accountability and oversight to ensure services were delivered to our special education students. I make decisions based on integrity and I stand up for what is right. I will help Ridgefield Taxpayers weather the current budget cuts by maximizing value from every tax-dollar spent," she said.

Hayes said she sees a need for transparent budgeting, social-emotional support for students and more tax-dollars allocated to kids. "We can achieve these and other objectives without increasing costs to tax-payers. There is a saying: What you lack in capital, you can make up in labor. I have a track record of putting in the labor required to cultivate cost-saving solutions. I will help improve school climate, reduce waste, respectfully listen, collaborate and negotiate."

"On November 7th, we must elect effective communicators with common sense and a track record of making a difference."