Wallingford Election: Jennifer Passaretti Running For Board Of Ed

WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in Wallingford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council and Board of Education.

Wallingford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Republican Jennifer Passaretti, 49, is running for election to the Wallingford Board of Education.

Occupation: Biology Laboratory Manager And Adjunct Professor Of Biology

Family: Joseph (husband), Wesley (21), Allison (20), and Aaron (19)

Experience: Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commissioner

Family in government: No

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

Students dealing with post-COVID. Specifically its impact on our children’s mental health, which affects their engagement in school and with potential long-term consequences. We don’t really know how far reaching the effects are. Children that seem fine now might show signs of distress later after pandemic recovery. So I am committed to supporting policies that are focused on our students’ mental, emotional, and social health. Our Wallingford students deserve a learning environment where they feel supported and safe. With every decision that I make, I will be mindful of how it affects our students' holistic self.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I have been in higher education for 18 years at the University of New Haven. I am teaching our freshman Biology course and I have a front row seat to their transition into higher academia.
I see the products of the education system from the other side and I bring a unique perspective to help our students succeed post-high school. I know what a successful freshman looks like. And I know that the ones who struggle either aren’t prepared for college or a 4-year college is not the right fit for them.

I am less concerned about our college acceptance rates. I am more interested in learning if those same students are thriving one-year post high school. As a community, we need to eliminate the negative stigma of a young person not choosing a 4-year college. As a member of the Board of Ed, I will support ALL post-secondary paths including community college, vocational training, military, or entering directly into the work force.

Accomplishments:

I anticipate some tough choices in the next 2 years, especially when it comes to the budget. Our education budget is nearly 107 million dollars – that is 2/3 of our town’s overall budget.

Therefore, it is CRITICAL for a Board of Ed candidate to have a proven track record of being a good steward of a community's hard-earned money.

At the University, I am responsible for managing the department’s budgets, including all grants. As the financial manager of an academic department, along with prior experience as a church treasurer, I understand the balance between providing stakeholders with necessary resources, while also maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Other issues:

I am not convinced that one high school is what is best for our children. But I am committed to keeping an open mind when we do our deep dive investigation. In the interim, I would like to see improvements to the infrastructure of our schools and more energy efficient capital projects.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

As the daughter of a 3rd grade teacher (mom) and a PhD (dad), I was raised with a passion for education. Education is who I am and it is in my blood. I will work tirelessly to maintain that quality which sets Wallingford schools apart and lends support to a thriving community. I will be guided by what is the best for our children, our community and our future. I have the tools to enhance our schools, but I can’t do it from the outside. I can only do it from the inside and that is why I need to be elected to the Board of Ed.