Patch Candidate Profile: David Felton​, Weston Board of Education

WESTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Weston and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

David Felton, 50, is running for re-election to the Weston Board of Education as a Republican.

Education.

Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Criminal Justice from the University of Hartford.

What is your occupation?

Owner Canaan Technology - IT Services, 22 Years

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

Wife Hilary, Son Jacob - 15 (Sophomore), Son Caleb - 8 (3rd Grade).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

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

Current Board of Education Member

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for reelection because I am committed to Weston's exemplary education and would like the opportunity to continue to serve the community. As a current member of the Board of Education, I will utilize the institutional experience I have gained and the relationships I have formed with the administrators, educators, and other board members, to advocate for our students, families, and members of the Weston Community.

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

There are several important issues my constituents face. Community involvement with the Board of Education, quantifiable academic outcomes, and school safety.

Community Involvement: We need to promote engagement between the BoE and the community through public comment and meeting attendance.

Quantifiable Academic Outcomes: Weston spends a lot of money educating our children and we need to be sure each dollar spent has a measurable positive academic outcome.

School Safety: We should support an "all of the above" school safety program. This includes mental health, hardening of school buildings, technology, and defensive measures.

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

As a current Board of Education Member I bring institutional knowledge to the Board and am well prepared to address issues as they arise.

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

The term "kicking the can down the road" is often used in Weston, especially when it comes to confronting difficult issues. This is best highlighted when looking at the condition of our school buildings. We need someone willing to act decisively, guided by both the will of the community and the needs of our educators.

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

I am very interested in learning from the Weston community issues that are important to them, and bring those issues to the attention of the full Board of Education.

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

I'm an inquisitive person, I genuinely enjoy talking with people that have a different perspective than my own, and I love to problem solve. I think these skills are required of any elected member to be successful.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

I've received a lot of great advice, some of which took a long time to make sense. But the best advice I've received that I can attribute to my role as a Board of Education Member is, "Great Leaders are Thoughtful and Deliberate".

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

I'm an open minded and approachable person. I enjoy talking with people and learning from them, so if we have the opportunity to meet and chat, I'd look forward to that.