Wilton Candidate Profile: Ruth DeLuca For Board of Education

WILTON, CT — The 2019 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.

Ruth DeLuca, 41, is running for a seat on the Board of Education as a Democrat. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Northeastern University; a master's degree in philosophy and social policy from The George Washington University, and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. She is a member of the New York Bar, and has worked in legislative affairs and practiced healthcare law.

DeLuca has been married to her husband, Damien, for eleven years, and the couple has three children ages seven, five, and two. The family moved to Wilton in 2016.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is ensuring that Wilton’s schools continue to provide a first-rate education from kindergarten through high school while exercising fiscal responsibility. In times of budget austerity, creativity can flourish. In setting policy, I intend to ask hard questions, and work collaboratively with the Board and the community to creatively and efficiently balance quality with cost. While hard conversations and decisions lie ahead, they should be had and made without diminishing our town’s most valuable asset - our schools.

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

I believe I will bring a unique perspective and approach to the Board’s work. I have a policy and legal background and I have three young children just beginning their educational journey in the Wilton schools.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

As a Board member, I will work to preserve and grow the excellence of Wilton’s schools while exercising budget restraint. I believe we must adequately and responsibly fund our programs in order to equip our children with the tools needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. In setting policy and the budget, I will be guided by our community’s commitment to (1) prioritize student safety and wellness; and (2) to provide challenging, relevant and meaningful learning experiences informed by parent and student partnerships that are personalized to meet the needs of each individual learner.

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

As a Director at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, I developed and advocated for legislation and regulatory policies rooted in science and economic efficiency. As a lawyer, I helped people navigate the healthcare and insurance system. I pledge to bring that same commitment and passion to the Board of Education.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

To ensure our schools stay strong, I believe in the importance of local control, oversight, and decision making. That is why I testified in Hartford against the legislative proposals to impose forced school district regionalization on our town. It was this experience that inspired me to run for our School Board. It made me want to apply my professional policy and legal background to help our town. I am resolved to do my part to ensure that Wilton continues to be a small, caring community with excellent schools.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Never underestimate the quiet one in the room and think before you speak.