Wilton Candidate Profile: Savet Constantine, 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.

Savet Constantine, 49, is running for a seat on the Board of Education as a Democrat. She received a Bachelor of Arts at Carleton College, Northfield, MN; and a Master of International Affairs at Columbia University in New York City.

Constantine and her husband Craig and have been married for 23 years and moved to Wilton in 2004. They have two children, a daughter who graduated Wilton High School and is a junior in university majoring in engineering, and a son who is a current senior at WHS. She served as Wilton High School PTSA president, 2016-2019; parent-at-large, 2019-2020; Middlebrook PTA president, 2013-2016; parent-at-large, 2011-2013; Wilton PTA Council Reflections chair, 2011-2014; VP of budget, 2008-2011; and Miller PTA parent-at-large, 2007-2008.

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

The budget. I intend to delve into the budget and ask the questions to ascertain we are spending our money effectively and directly on programs that support our children’s education. Work with the Board of Finance so we can all be on the same page of supporting our schools without all the negative publicity of the last few years that has scared off potential out of town home buyers. The town has been extremely supportive of the schools, yet instead of framing this fiscal responsibility as efficient diligence, the publicity solely features the word "cuts." We need to reframe this discussion.

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

I am running on experience. I have a proven track record of leading and working with all different people (administrators, teachers, parents and students), addressing their needs and finding solutions to make our schools- and children’s educational experience- as successful as possible.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Definitely the evolving issues our children face in this increasingly interconnected, fast paced world.

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

Most of my accomplishments are the non-glamorous, behind the scenes type, those of connecting people to the right people and resources, getting information to flow to parents and feedback to administration, coordinating volunteers for smooth running events, and stepping in when help is needed. The most visible accomplishment is when we fundraised and built the Middlebrook playground after we identified a need for more recess options to get students out of the cafeteria and moving outside.

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

What voters should know about me is the word that describes me best is committed. I am committed to everything I do - committed to family, committed to giving children all the tools they need to succeed, committed to helping my friends, committed to serving the community and committed to giving back. I would bring the same commitment and dedication to the Board of Education as I have shown in the last 15 years of volunteering in order to get the job at hand done, especially in advocating for a smart school-smart town partnership that strengthens our community.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Give people a second chance. And you can always find common ground and work from there to find a solution.