Candidate Name: Lisa Connelly

Office Sought: Board of Education

Are You an Incumbent for this Seat? No

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Campaign Phone Number: 203-676-6413

Email Address: lisa.connelly@sbcglobal.net

Family

I live in Killingworth with my husband Sean and two children, Bryce, 17, and Ella, 15.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, SCSU

Civic Involvement

Killingworth Women's Organization

Killingworth Elementary School Yearbook Committee

Killingworth Elementary School Room Parent

HK Pride Organizing Committee

What led you to seek this office?

I have always enjoyed being involved and giving back to the community while working collaboratively with others. Now that my children are older, I am able to take a more active role and devote more time and effort to something I feel passionately about: education.

What are your qualifications for this position?

As a former teacher, parent of two HKHS students, and small business owner in town, I bring a well-rounded perspective to the Board of Education. I have also lived in three states, primarily in cities, giving me firsthand experience in the more diverse world our children will enter after graduation. My professional, volunteer, and life experiences have provided myriad opportunities to work with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I look forward to applying those skills to work collaboratively with others on the BOE.

What do you see as the top three issues or priorities for this position?

The common theme of the priorities and challenges for any school district is preparing our children to be productive and compassionate citizens of a diverse and ever-changing world. Teaching critical thinking skills is more important than ever as a constant stream of information (both good and bad) is available at our students' fingertips. Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into our curriculum will better prepare our students to be empathetic and compassionate members of any type of community. We also need to focus on meeting the needs of all students in our district, regardless of their academic or professional plans beyond RSD17.

How has the district handled the COVID-19 crisis so far, and what changes or adjustments, if any, would you like to see going forward?

Our district has successfully maintained a high level of education while keeping our students and educators safe. Our teachers essentially reinvented their jobs to teach remotely while striving to meet all children's educational needs. There have been no direct links between COVID-19 infections and the schools, even after successfully bringing the full student population back into classes this year. RSD17 has done an excellent job navigating the uncertainty and constant changes during the pandemic.