Tolland Election 2023: Chloe Coles, Board of Education

TOLLAND, CT — Chloe Coles is running for a Tolland Board of Education seat in the 2023 election.

Name

Chloe Coles

How old will you be as of Election Day?

35

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.tollanddemocrats.o...

What city or town do you live in?

Tolland

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Geospatial Intelligence

What is your occupation?

Town Management- 3 Years, Satellites and Intelligence Sector- 3 Years, Voluntourism International Non-Profit- 6+ years, International Olympic Committee Coordinator- 2 Years

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married to my wonderful husband, Dr. Ryan Coles (UCONN Professor) for 12 years. We have 3 young children together.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking this office because I feel passionately about making sure that the students, teachers and staff in our district feel supported and provided for in our town. We have an obligation to our citizens to provide them with an excellent public education and to ensure that our town is a desirable place to live and raise their families.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ensuring our schools continue to excel in a fiscally responsible way. I intend to fight for our students by making sure they have access to the programs and curriculum that they need to be successful and competitive in their post graduation pathways. Also to make sure that our staff and teachers are fairly compensated in a way that they are financially secure in their employment here and have the resources they need to create a healthy and successful environment for all in the district. We need to guarantee our students have the skills needed to be creative with the technical skills to be successful post graduation.

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

I have been working with students and providing opportunities for them for over a decade whether it is working in my local classroom with my children or with college students around the world helping connect them with internship opportunities in foreign countries. I understand the value of making sure we are within a fiscally responsible budget but at the same time assessing the benefits of programs and staff that are vital to everyone's success. I have helped multiple towns and municipalities manage their infrastructure and finances and coached them on best practices. I have worked with schools around the world to help students find access to opportunities like Olympic level sport participation while maintaining student academic success.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

In general we need to get back to a sense of civility and productive discussion and debate in our Board of Education. I feel we need to have more bipartisan discussion in a healthy manner. To show our town that we are united in our support of our students and staff even if we are wanting to approach those solutions in different manners. Our town deserves a mature and non-offensive environment to promote and grow our schools through consensus and compromise.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I intend to look into our district's mental health curriculum and to see that the current program is having a measurable effect on the students and staff. I want to understand that important programs are within reach for student and staff to help in their progress.

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

As a town management advisor I was able to work with dozen of towns and municipalities to better manage their infrastructures and budgets to streamline the maintenance and structure of their localities. I helped start a multi-national non profit in the Middle East that helped over 100 college students relocate to work with companies to expand growth and create cultural bridges. I was a founding member of the South Sudan Men's National Basketball Team that competed in tournaments around the world and worked with the International Olympic Committee in the organization and promotion of our team. But my crowning achievement has been being a mom to my three children and being invested and informed about their education. Working in their classrooms and engaging with the teachers and staff and students in Tolland has been a fantastic and informative experience and helped me to have a passion and drive to help at the Board level to be an added strength to the governing body of the district.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I have ever been given was by an Officer at the Naval Academy when I went for summer seminar in high school. He told me that "No matter if your squad wants to drag you down into the trenches, be the safety anchor that keeps everyone in calm waters." I have always taken that to heart when engaging with family, friends, children, neighbors or coworkers. The key to good teamwork and communication is to maintain a calm and cool head. To not get offended and to always keep an eye out for effective, positive solutions that benefit everyone.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have a deep passion for our students and schools. Our town is a wonderful place to live and raise families. I will continue to always fight for the best path forward and to be a voice for the students, teachers and staff.