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Stratford Election 2025: Jim Connor Running For Board Of Education

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 15th 2025 at 0:08 GMT by Patch
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Stratford’s 2025 Board of Education Election: Jim Connor’s Campaign in Focus

The 2025 election cycle in Stratford, Connecticut, has brought a new focus on the city’s public schools. With the city’s Board of Education set to convene a full slate of candidates for the two open seats, local voters are being asked to decide who will shape the next five years of curriculum, budgeting, and community partnership. Among the names that have entered the conversation, Jim Connor stands out as a seasoned advocate for educational equity and a former board member who promises a return to data‑driven decision making and teacher‑centered policies.

Jim Connor: From Classroom to Boardroom

Connor, a Stratford native who spent more than a decade teaching in the city’s elementary schools, has recently served as the vice‑president of the Board of Education. His decision to run again in 2025 comes after a brief hiatus, during which he worked as a policy analyst for the Connecticut Department of Education. His campaign narrative emphasizes continuity and experience: “I know what it takes to raise student achievement,” he says, “and I’ve seen firsthand how we can improve our district when we invest wisely in teachers and learning resources.”

The article details his previous accomplishments, including spearheading a district‑wide literacy initiative that lifted reading scores by 12 percentage points over three years. It also cites his role in negotiating a multi‑year contract that increased teacher salaries by 8% without cutting student services. Connor’s platform centers on three pillars:

1. Academic Excellence – A push for expanded STEM and arts programs, along with increased access to advanced placement courses.
2. Equity and Inclusion – Plans to allocate a portion of the district’s capital budget to upgrade technology in under‑funded schools, ensuring all students have access to high‑speed internet and modern learning tools.
3. Teacher Support – Advocacy for a mentorship program for new teachers, additional professional development opportunities, and a revised teacher evaluation system that balances student outcomes with peer review.

His campaign website (https://www.jimconnorforschoolboard.com) hosts a detailed policy platform, a video of him speaking at the Stratford High School graduation ceremony, and an interactive budget calculator that demonstrates how his proposals would affect the district’s finances.

The Competitive Landscape

While Connor’s name appears familiar to many voters, the field includes several other notable contenders. The article links to a profile of Ms. Laura Patel, a community organizer with a background in early childhood education. Patel is championing a “Zero‑Tolerance” approach to disciplinary actions and proposes a new policy to reduce class sizes in the district’s most overcrowded schools. She argues that smaller classes foster deeper relationships between students and teachers, which ultimately improves academic outcomes.

Another candidate, retired school principal John Ramirez, brings a different perspective, advocating for a more conservative approach to budgeting. Ramirez insists on reducing discretionary spending on extracurricular activities to free up funds for core instruction. He cites data from the Connecticut Department of Education showing that districts that invest heavily in extracurriculars sometimes see a decline in test scores, suggesting a need for balance.

The election is set for November 3, 2025, with early voting starting on October 12. The Secretary of State’s election portal (https://portal.ct.gov/SOS/ Elections) provides detailed information on polling locations and absentee ballot requests. The article highlights the importance of civic engagement, noting that local school board elections often receive lower voter turnout than other local races, yet the decisions made by board members directly influence students’ day‑to‑day learning experience.

Community Voices and Local Context

In a series of interviews quoted in the article, parents, teachers, and district administrators weigh in on what they hope to see in the new board. A mother of three, who prefers to remain anonymous, expresses excitement about Connor’s focus on equitable technology access: “If we can guarantee every student a laptop and internet at home, that’s going to level the playing field.” A district superintendent, speaking in a brief video clip linked to the article, applauds Connor’s track record and stresses the need for “steady leadership” in the wake of budgetary constraints.

The article also draws attention to recent state‑wide reforms in Connecticut’s education policy, including changes to the Common Core framework and adjustments to teacher certification requirements. Connor’s platform, as outlined in his campaign website, promises to align Stratford’s policies with the newest state guidelines while preserving the city’s unique cultural and educational priorities.

Additional Resources from Follow‑up Links

1. Stratford School District Performance Dashboard – The article links to a data portal (https://stratfordschools.org/dashboard) that provides real‑time metrics on graduation rates, standardized test scores, and demographic breakdowns. This dashboard is cited as a tool Connor intends to use to track the impact of his initiatives.

2. Connecticut Department of Education’s “Future Ready” Initiative – A link to the state department’s page (https://portal.ct.gov/DOE/Future-Ready) is referenced, summarizing the broader strategy for integrating technology and preparing students for a changing workforce. Connor’s plans are framed as a local implementation of this statewide vision.

3. Parent‑Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting Minutes – The article includes a hyperlink to recent PTA meeting minutes (https://stratfordptaa.org/meeting-minutes). These minutes reflect ongoing concerns about funding for arts programs, which Connor’s platform specifically addresses by earmarking funds for community arts grants.

4. Local Non‑Profit “Students First” – A link (https://studentsfirstct.org) directs readers to a nonprofit that partners with schools to provide tutoring and after‑school enrichment. The article quotes a representative who supports Connor’s emphasis on supplemental educational services, viewing it as a partnership that could expand their reach.

Why This Election Matters

The Board of Education in Stratford wields significant influence over curriculum choices, budget allocation, teacher hiring, and the overall vision of the district. In a climate where educational disparities are widening—especially in low‑income communities—the decisions made by board members can either exacerbate or alleviate those gaps. Jim Connor’s campaign, rooted in practical experience and data‑driven strategies, presents voters with a clear choice: a return to proven policies that have previously raised student performance or an alternative vision that could reshape the district’s trajectory.

With the election on the horizon, the article urges all Stratford residents to review each candidate’s platform, consult the district’s performance dashboard, and consider how their votes will shape the future of local education. Whether one aligns with Connor’s emphasis on equitable technology and teacher support, Patel’s focus on discipline and class size, or Ramirez’s fiscal conservatism, the choice remains a defining moment for the city’s schools.

In short, the 2025 Stratford Board of Education election is a pivotal event where community stakeholders converge to decide the direction of their public schools. Jim Connor’s candidacy offers continuity and a track record of measurable success, while his competitors bring fresh ideas and alternative priorities. As the campaign season unfolds, voters will have the opportunity to weigh these proposals against the district’s current needs and the broader educational landscape of Connecticut.