Lived Experience, Equity, and Parent Voice Take Center Stage at Norwalk Education Forum

NORWALK, Conn. — Board of Education and mayoral candidates discussed education funding, equity, and parent engagement during a community forum on Oct. 27 at Ponus Ridge Middle School.

The two-part event, organized by the CMS PTA, featured nine Board of Education candidates and four mayoral candidates. Each spoke about priorities for Norwalk Public Schools and approaches to collaboration between city officials and the district.

Board of Education Candidates Address Equity and Funding

Moderator Michael Stenger opened the event by emphasizing the shared role of families, educators, and the Board in supporting students. Candidates responded to questions about equity, facilities, and school budgets.

Lisa Brinton described the state’s Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula as inequitable, saying Norwalk’s property values create a false impression of wealth that affects state aid.

Garret Oliver said the district could better use data and technology, “I’d also like to see us actually leverage technology so it actually helps us, to help our teachers, to give them the tools that they need to have every single student reach their potential.

Marcus Jaime said more funding should go directly to classrooms. “I think [we should] take funds out of the central office and put them back in the schools.”

Sheri McCready Brown, the Board’s current vice chair, cited existing mentorship and workforce programs and said the district’s work is guided by the principle that “a student’s zip code should never determine opportunity.”

Representation and Parent Involvement

Several candidates described how their personal experiences influence their perspectives on education.

Dana Nellie Cole spoke about growing up without formal diagnoses for ADHD and autism, saying it shaped her understanding of students who learn differently and reinforced her support for individualized instruction.

Xavier Guzman said his family once belonged to a multilingual learner (MLL) household in Danbury and volunteered to help parents who did not speak English navigate the school system.

“We will help those in the community that are multi language learners, especially the families who they have to work two or three jobs that they don’t understand how the system works.”

Candidates discussed communication between schools and parents, suggesting expanded use of parent coordinators, translated materials, and multilingual meetings.

Tricia Massucco said some parents “don’t understand that it’s their right to participate,” and recommended creating regular public Q&A sessions or online resources explaining budget and policy decisions.

A few candidates also raised concerns about classroom behavior and discipline, saying it affects both learning and communication between families and schools.

Alex Kemeny said “The behavior issues sometimes aren’t addressed, and parents need to be involved, because some of these children, the children who have issues, and they are the other children, are suffering because of these behavior issues.”

Other candidates noted that building strong schools also means supporting the educators who lead them

Artie Kassimis said supporting teachers goes beyond instructional tools. “We are also providing benefits to our new teachers by offering mentor programs and leadership development for all staff.”

Facilities Planning and Funding

Candidates discussed the city’s 25-year facilities plan, which includes a new Norwalk High School and the recently opened South Norwalk Elementary School.

Some said coordination between city agencies could improve long-term planning.

Cole suggested hiring a grant writer to pursue state and federal funds.

Other candidates said Norwalk should continue seeking grants and partnerships while advocating for ECS revisions, and Massucco said special-education reimbursements cover about 70% of costs, leaving local taxpayers to fund the remainder.

Mayoral Candidates Discuss Collaboration and ECS Funding

In the mayoral segment, candidates were asked about the city’s role in education and the annual budgeting process.

Republican candidate Vinny Scicchitano said he wants improved communication between City Hall, the Board of Education, and parents. He proposed forming an advisory committee of teachers and parents and said teacher retention and tax relief are priorities.

Unaffiliated John Kydes said costs for special education and multilingual-learner programs have increased, and that ECS funding is “unsustainable.” He said he would lobby state officials to adjust the formula.

Democrat Barbara Smyth said she supports continued investment in school construction and wraparound services and would work to maintain collaboration between the city and the district.

Unaffiliated candidate Erik Vitaglione said improving literacy rates and ensuring equitable ECS funding would be his main education goals.

Audience Questions and Follow-Up

Due to time constraints, only two audience questions were addressed during the event. Organizers said all submitted questions will be posted online for public viewing.

The discussion covered shared concerns about state funding, communication with families, and long-term planning for Norwalk schools.