Patch Candidate Profile: Sara Sclafani​, Wilton Board of Education

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

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

Sara Sclafani, 40, is running for election to the Board of Education to fill a vacancy for two years as an unaffiliated petitioning candidate.

Education.

I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor degree from Notre Dame Law School.

What is your occupation?

My professional background is in corporate law and human resources

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

My husband, Anthony, and I have two children currently attending Wilton Public Schools, one in Miller-Driscoll and one at Cider Mill.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m passionate about the quality of our public education and I want to work hard to make our schools as strong as they can be. I want to support our students and families. I want to support our teachers. I want to work together to ensure that we stay focused on delivering the highest quality education for all of our children.

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

Keeping education our top priority. I will ensure that our schools maintain academic excellence through rigorous curriculum review and improvement. I will advocate for the resources necessary to maintain high quality. I’m committed to keeping politics out of education. I made a deliberate choice to run as an independent candidate on Row C because I am dedicated solely to doing what is best for our children, our schools, and our town.

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

I’m the only candidate running independent of the Republican and Democratic parties. My decision to run on Row C is a choice for independence, transparency, and accountability. I will listen to and consider all voices, regardless of political affiliation, and seek common ground to achieve results that benefit the entire community.

As a conflict-free candidate, I will be able to participate meaningfully in every decision that comes before the Board of Education. The Wilton Ethics Council has issued an advisory opinion which makes very clear that my opponent, Heather Priest, would be unable to participate in the vast majority of significant Board of Education actions due to the conflicts of interest she faces as the spouse of a teacher employed by Wilton Public Schools.

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

I’m committed to addressing head-on the challenges of adopting a fiscally responsible school budget that meets the needs of our students and faculty. The process must be both careful, scrutinizing every expenditure, while transparent, so that taxpayers know their money is being spent as productively as possible.

I also want to make sure that our teachers get the support they need. Teachers are the backbone of our schools and they deserve resources, recognition, and a receptive avenue for voicing concerns.

We are fortunate to live in a district that welcomes parents into the schools through our volunteer PTAs, committee work, educational workshops, and other opportunities. I would like to explore more broadly how the Board of Education can increase engagement with families, promoting a more open and collaborative relationship.

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

My experience volunteering in our schools over the past six years, most recently as co-president of the Miller-Driscoll PTA, has given me a first-hand understanding of how our schools work, as well as the opportunities and challenges they face. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside teachers, administrators, and families to enrich the classroom experience for our students. I have seen firsthand the positive impact on teachers when we listen, provide support, and celebrate their hard-earned accomplishments.

My professional background as a lawyer equips me with the necessary analytical, conflict resolution, and advocacy skills to navigate the work of the Board of Education successfully. I will approach every decision with an open mind and a fact-based analysis. I will actively listen to the concerns of families, students, teachers, and the community, and work collaboratively to find solutions. I am committed to making sure all stakeholder voices are heard.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Always be yourself.

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

Serving on the Board of Education is a responsibility that should transcend partisan and personal interests. I ask for your vote to give our children, and our town, what they deserve–a fully-functioning Board of Education that is free from political and ethical distractions, with no agenda other than putting education and the welfare of our children first.