To the Editor,

I am writing to express my support for two candidates in the upcoming election: Alison Plante for Board of Education and Michelle Ku for Board of Selectmen.

As a mother, professional, and long-term resident of Newtown, Alison has the qualities needed to support Newtown students as a member of the critically important Board of Education.

Alison served on the Legislative Council along with me and ten colleagues from 2019 and 2021 and has served on the Board of Education since 2022. As the chair of both the DEI and Finance committees on the BOE, she has demonstrated the leadership skills required to affect change and a keen ability to promote teamwork and collaboration. She has been a consistent voice of reason through several budget cycles, and offered thoughtful discourse during the tumultuous book-ban debates.

Michelle Ku, running for Selectman, is among the most effective and seasoned volunteers in Newtown. Having served on the Board of Education as Chair, the Charter Revision Commission, and most recently, the Legislative Council, Michelle has the experience and wisdom to move Newtown forward.

Over the course of her 11-year tenure in local politics, Michelle has championed important projects and seen Newtown through difficult transitions. She promoted the bifurcation of the budget, the retention of Hawley School, and the change to school start times. Michelle’s sensitive leadership helped the district as it responded to the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, and the COVID pandemic.

Both Michelle and Alison have presented unbiased, rational, and educated perspectives on challenging issues.

Please join me in casting votes for Alison for Board of Education and Michelle for Board of Selectmen on November 7. If you are not sure where to cast your ballot, please go to portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx or call the Registrar of Voters at (203) 270-4250.

Judit DeStefano

Sandy Hook