Patch Candidate Profile: Jill Dillon, Board Of Education

WESTPORT, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Westport will be on the ballot, including Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Westport Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Jill Dillon

How old will you be as of Election Day?

49

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

https://jilldillon.com

What city or town do you live in?

Westport

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

Please give us your party affiliation.

Unaffiliated

Education.

BS in Biology and BA in French Language and Literature from the Universiity of Virginia

What is your occupation?

Over 10 years in the field of Public Opinion Research

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

Yes. I have a husband named John and two daughters aged 12 and 14.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I have only served in 2 elected positions as PTA President at Kings Highway Elementary School and Coleytown Middle School.

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 believe voters in Westport want more choice in the Board of Education election so I stepped in to be an unaffiliated, write-in candidate. I am a moderate voice of civility and mutual respect, community leadership and experience, and my focus is ALWAYS on doing what’s right for the kids. Local elections are critical because we are electing neighbors to be stewards of everything we depend on day to day, including our schools. I think it's important for elected local leaders to be collaborators who engage with all stakeholders to put progress ahead of personal politics.

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 today is student health and safety as they pursue rigorous academics, a variety of vigorous extracurricular activities and a constant barrage of technology and social media without much down time. The district, the PTA and town entities like “Westport Together” provide rich opportunities for parents to learn about the effects of this stress on developing brains as well as physical and mental health but we need to do a better job of educating the children themselves about this same thing, while providing tools and resources to parents AND kids to deal with it.

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

I have a lot of respect for every individual currently serving on the Board of Education. Three seats are available. The two Democratic candidates up for re-election will continue to do an exceptional job, so you should vote for them: Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips. For the 3rd seat, I’m asking you to write in Jill Dillon. It is imperative that the third seat go to a candidate with a moderate voice. I have publicly demonstrated civil and respectful collaboration, been an active leader in the community, and I care deeply about the continued excellence of our schools and the success of our children.

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

I have tremendous respect for the individuals currently serving on the Board of Education. I hope that Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips will win re-election, and that I will be elected for to hold the 3rd seat that Republican Liz Heyer is currently occupying. If Liz was still running for re-election to the BoE I would not have entered the race.

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

I am running on a platform of progress, not politics. I look forward to fostering professional relationships with the superintendent, current administrators and members of the board based on collegiality and mutual respect while representing the voice of all of my constituents. I have been engaged with the business of the board as a parent in the district for the past 9 years, and I am prepared to tackle the responsibilities of this elected position with civility and vigor.

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

My background both professionally and as PTA co-President of Kings Highway Elementary School and Coleytown Middle School has afforded me opportunities that translate meaningfully to a role on the BoE. In my professional career, I spent over ten years in public opinion research designing research studies, fielding surveys and moderating focus groups. From this experience, I know how to ask questions, listen, moderate a discussion among people who disagree, and find some kind of common ground to inform a strategy to move an issue forward.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

It was my Dad and it was super simple: Never force anything in life. It’s amazing how many things this can apply to, and if I’m ever trying to force something—from a screw that doesn’t seem to be the right size to a relationship that doesn’t seem to be working—I can hear my Dad’s advice in my head.

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

In the decisions I have made for the schools I represented, I always put the kids’ (and not just my kids) needs first. We all desperately love our children and want the best for them, and we need to keep that in mind when we engage as parents and as a community to make choices for their education and school environment. We are role models and our kids are watching us.