Stratford Candidate Profile: Amy Wiltsie For School Board

STRATFORD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Stratford and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Stratford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Amy Wiltsie is running for the Board of Education as a Republican. She is a parent of three Stratford school district students and has worked as a social worker for the Department of Children and Families and as a campaign director for the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.

Are you running for office in Stratford? Contact Anna Bybee-Schier at anna.bybee-schier@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Stratford Patch.

Candidate responses appear as they were received and have not been edited by Patch staff.

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

Consistency and Equality

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

I believe we are all well intended and equally qualified. However, I believe I may be the only Stratford School system graduate. I graduated SHS in 1994 and as the Class President, stood strong in my commitment to my role, my school, my community and my town as a whole. I decided to return to Stratford after college and begin my life and my family here. I am a firm believer in giving back and feel indebted and committed to Stratford for the rich and diverse education and well rounded development. As a mother of 3, in all levels of educational placement, I see some room for improvement and feel it is my time to give back, for the benefit of ALL.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

One area in need of improvement is communication. Parents in this town deserve the notice, the open line of communication and respect from BOE members and administration.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Equity, Uniformity and Consistency

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

As a full time employee and mother of 3, I have never shied away from serving. I am a board member of the Vicki Soto Memorial Fund which brings scholarships to Stratford students and priceless literacy programming. I serve Community Services on the Stratford Partnership for Youth and Families and a Judicial Review Board panel member. I am currently the Stratford High School PTSA President and member of Wooster and Lordship PTSAs making things happen for our students. I know the importance of service and manage my time to do it all.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

That if I wanted to be the change I wanted to see in the world, I needed to be a part of the solution. Since that one conversation with an Intelligent educator and mentor, I come off the sidelines of criticism and put my time and energy into making real Change.

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

I want voters to know I am one of them. I am a mom juggling a profession. I am resident truly invested in all the wonderful things Stratford has to offer. That I am committed to every student in our system and their needs and best interests. As parents, we are all in this together and when united, can make wonderful things happen!