Tolland Election: Jayden F. Regisford For BOE, 2-Year Term

TOLLAND, CT — Democrat Jayden F. Regisford, 20, is running for a Board of Education two-year term in Tolland.

Occupation: Student

Family:
Rebecca, Mom
Fitzgerald, Father
Craig, Step-Father
DeOndrew, Brother
Madelyn, Sister

Experience: N/A

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Unfortunately there is not simply one pressing issue that is greater than the other. Instead, there are a plethora of issues that only get resolved with effective, collaborative, and bipartisan efforts. Whether it is the budget process or internal communication within the board, and no issue that we currently face will be corrected without the effort of all folks on each respective board.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

My recent experience going through the Tolland Public Schools system provides me the ability to relate to the students that sit in those chairs. It allows me to accurately determine the answer to the questions: Is this decision going to be best for the students filling the classrooms? Will all students be considered in this decision? Why is this important for the students’ progress not just this year, but years down the road?

Education is not political. We people are. We can make the choice now to flip the script and begin a term with both sides understanding one another more clearly, not because either side has to win, and but because our staff and our students depend on it.

Accomplishments:

Being 20 years old, there is not much to build off of just yet. However, I take extreme pride in the kids I coach on the baseball field, the basketball court and the turf field. They are all solely the reason I am running for this position.
The atmosphere of Friday night lights has not escaped my blood either, and announcing the high school football games for our community has been a treasure. During my time in high school, I worked with our a Superintendent, the Booster Club, and the then Athletic Director to find the funds for a new sound system for the high school stadium. After nearly a year, and we were able to get that new system and the stadium has gotten use out of high school sports and youth sports alike.

Other issues:

I run on one campaign platform: Do what is best for the kids. Do what is best for those in which you serve and both in fiscal terms and in terms of social responsibility. This is the one issue that candidates on both sides fundamentally cannot disagree on.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I have learned since the previous election that you can and should learn from not just those you agree with, but those you disagree with as well. If there is one thing to know about me, it is that I will work endlessly to ensure that the students, families, and and staff of Tolland are prioritized above all else.