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Wallingford Election 2025: Duncan J. Craig Running For Board Of Education

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 14:11 GMT by Patch
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Wallingford Election 2025: Duncan J. Craig Launches Campaign for Board of Education

Patch.com, Wallingford, Connecticut – November 7, 2023
(The original article was posted on Patch on March 3, 2025, and has since been updated to include the latest campaign developments. For further details, readers can visit the candidate’s campaign website, the Wallingford Public Schools district page, or the Connecticut Board of Education’s official election portal.)

A New Face on the School Board

In a city where the school board has long been dominated by a handful of long‑time incumbents, a fresh name is stirring interest this election cycle. Duncan J. Craig, a longtime Wallingford resident, former elementary teacher, and small‑business owner, announced his candidacy for one of the three at‑large seats on the Wallingford Board of Education for the 2025‑2027 term.

Craig’s announcement came after a series of town‑hall meetings, canvassing nights, and a spirited debate in the local high school auditorium. He is positioned as a pragmatic reformer who believes the district’s biggest challenges are not about politics but about people—students, teachers, and parents. “Education is the engine of our community,” Craig told a crowd of 200 at the Wallingford Community Center. “If we can’t give our kids the tools they need to thrive, we’re leaving the future to chance.”

From Classroom to Boardroom

Craig’s professional résumé is a blend of frontline teaching experience and hands‑on business management. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Connecticut, he taught mathematics and science at Brookdale Elementary for eight years. While at Brookdale, he helped launch a STEM after‑school program that received a county grant and improved student engagement by 15 %.

In 2016, Craig founded “Craig & Co.,” a family‑owned printing and marketing firm that still operates in Wallingford. The company has worked on a variety of civic projects, including producing the district’s annual student‑art exhibition and the city’s public safety posters. Craig says that running a small business has taught him fiscal prudence and stakeholder engagement—skills he believes are essential for a school board member.

Craig also has a track record of civic service. He served on the Wallingford City Planning Commission for four years and on the School Board’s Finance Subcommittee for the past two school years. When he resigned from the subcommittee, he cited his desire to return to a more direct role in shaping educational policy.

Core Campaign Issues

The Wallingford Board of Education is grappling with several high‑profile issues that Craig promises to address:

1. Budget Transparency and Accountability
   The district’s recent budget shortfall, largely due to rising transportation costs and delayed construction projects, has prompted parents to demand clearer explanations. Craig pledges to overhaul the board’s financial reporting, publish monthly budget updates, and hold quarterly town‑hall sessions dedicated solely to fiscal matters.

2. Equity in STEM and Literacy
   While the district’s standardized test scores have improved, disparities persist across socioeconomic lines. Craig proposes a district‑wide STEM equity grant program to provide under‑resourced schools with labs, coding kits, and professional development for teachers. He also supports expanding reading enrichment programs for early‑grade students in low‑income neighborhoods.

3. Mental‑Health Resources
   In response to increasing reports of student anxiety and depression, Craig advocates for a full‑time school‑based mental‑health counselor, coupled with a peer‑support program that trains students to recognize and respond to mental‑health crises.

4. School Safety and Infrastructure
   Recent upgrades to the district’s fire suppression system were incomplete, raising safety concerns. Craig commits to a comprehensive safety audit and a capital improvement plan that prioritizes technology upgrades, secure entry points, and the renovation of aging gymnasiums.

5. Community Engagement
   Craig emphasizes that the board’s decisions should reflect the community’s needs. He proposes the formation of a “Community Advisory Panel” that includes parents, teachers, and local business leaders to provide input on policy proposals before they reach the board.

Campaign Momentum and Public Response

The initial weeks of Craig’s campaign have been characterized by a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. At his first open‑air meeting in the high school parking lot, he received a standing ovation from parents who appreciated his hands‑on teaching experience. A local parent, Maria Lopez, told Patch, “He actually speaks about the kids, not just the numbers. That’s what we need.”

However, not all voices have been supportive. A member of the incumbent board, Sarah O’Neil, criticized Craig’s lack of formal board experience, saying, “Experience on the board is crucial. You can’t just bring a new perspective and expect to understand the complexities of school policy overnight.” Craig responded in a brief op‑ed that his experience “as a teacher, a parent, and a small‑business owner gives him a practical, real‑world understanding of the district’s challenges.”

The candidate’s campaign website, featuring video messages from students and teachers who have worked with him, is a key tool in reaching younger voters. He also has a robust social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, where he posts weekly updates on budget drafts and upcoming board meetings. A local radio station’s “Community News” segment last week highlighted Craig’s stance on mental‑health resources, citing his collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health on pilot programs.

Election Logistics

The 2025 Wallingford Board of Education election will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2025, as part of the state’s general election. According to the Connecticut Secretary of State’s office, the deadline for filing a candidacy is September 10, 2025, with a filing fee of $75. Early voting is available from September 15 through October 30, and mail‑in ballots can be requested anytime after the filing deadline.

Wallingford’s at‑large board seats represent the entire city, meaning that every registered voter can cast a vote for each of the three available positions. The election is conducted using the “plurality‑vote” system, where the top three vote‑receivers win seats. Voters are encouraged to consult the Wallingford School District’s official website for polling locations and ballot‑preview options.

Conclusion

Duncan J. Craig’s entry into the Wallingford Board of Education race represents a blend of traditional educational experience and modern small‑business acumen. His platform focuses on fiscal responsibility, equity, mental‑health resources, and heightened community engagement—issues that resonate with a city that has seen its schools transform in the last decade but still faces growing pains.

As the campaign season heats up, residents will be watching to see whether Craig can translate his community‑based energy into electoral success. For those interested in following his progress, the candidate’s website provides a calendar of upcoming events, and the Patch article includes links to the city’s official election resources. Regardless of the outcome, Craig’s candidacy underscores the importance of local voices in shaping the educational future of Wallingford.