By Cherry Dumaual

As New Fairfield (“NF”) residents head to the polls this November 4 to vote for NF Board of Education (“BOE”) members, voters can look to six candidates who share one unifying commitment: to keep the town’s local schools among the state’s best. Whether longtime educators, parents, or civic leaders, each brings a distinct perspective on how to strengthen communication, support student well-being, and prepare children for a rapidly changing world.

 The Town Tribune reached out to the candidates to learn more about them — why they want to have a seat on the BOE, what their goals and perspectives are on a number of topics such as collaboration, communication, school project delays, accountability, AI (artificial intelligence), social media, and academic performance.

Candidates are presented in alphabetical order by last name.

Dominic Cipollone (R)

Also on the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) Bipartisan Row A Team, the current chair of the NF BOE has served as its chair since 2021. Cipollone is an investment banker who provides capital for start-ups, including those in the education technology field. He spent 30 years in education — first as a teacher and then as a middle school principal in one of the most challenging districts in the country. Dom, his wife and their children have lived in New Fairfield for 21 years.

Drawing from three decades as an NYC teacher and principal, his four-part “balance” approach to life can serve as a positive model for students. His approach includes physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual balance. Cipollone said, “If elected, this will be my 10th year on the BOE, and I believe I continue to offer constructive and meaningful ideas to help improve outcomes for our students.”

Cipollone envisions New Fairfield becoming one of Connecticut’s top 10 districts. Currently, NFHS ranks among the top 20% statewide. Cipollone said, “The strategic plan established under the current administration has been instrumental in achieving the current level of performance. Continuous improvement through effective support for teachers will allow us to stay on this trajectory. The home-school connection needs to remain strong because this is a partnership that requires everyone’s support.”

Asked how to encourage NF community and collaboration in these divisive times, Cipollone replied, “I believe when we come together with the common goal of providing our children with access to the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century there is common ground. Everyone cannot agree on everything all the time but there are certainly areas where our residents can find opportunities to come together in a spirit that supports our schools. I think school-sanctioned events would be a great way to bring townspeople together and foster productive collaboration.”

Greg Flanagan (R)

A current BOE member, Flanagan has lived in New Fairfield for 14 years with his wife, Holly, and their five children, three of whom have graduated from NF schools. He is seeking a third term on the BOE, where he has focused on strengthening schools while being mindful of taxpayers. Flanagan is proud of recent test score improvements and remains committed to advancing academics while keeping future tax increases minimal. A dedicated community volunteer, he serves on the NF Baseball Board and coaches youth basketball and baseball.

Flanagan’s focus is on continuity and stability — maintaining progress from recent improvements while cautioning about social media misinformation. His perspective as both parent and longtime youth coach emphasizes community relationships and sustained collaboration.

Seeking a third term, he said, “I first ran because I had five kids in the district and felt I could offer valuable insight from a parent’s perspective.” He points to progress: “I am most proud about our recent test scores… a perfect example of the great work being done by our students, teachers, and administrators. I sit on the Curriculum Sub-committee so I have front row seats for the development and execution of the district’s strategic plan led by Dr. Woleck and Dr. Craw. I believe the district is on a great track. I decided to run again to help see this through.”

Flanagan urges residents to engage directly to remain informed. “Come to BOE meetings or view them online… be very skeptical of what you are hearing on social media.” He added, “We are the only board that has assigned liaisons to the other major boards in town to report back to the BOE during meetings.”

Patrick Hearty (R)

Hearty holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Connecticut State University and has spent the past 20 years as a logistics manager, developing strong leadership skills. He has served the community for more than 16 years across multiple town boards, including the Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Planning Board. As a parent and engaged community member, Hearty is committed to ensuring that New Fairfield’s schools continue to provide quality education, support for students and teachers, and the resources needed to help children thrive.

Hearty is calling for building a true understanding of the fundamentals that prepare students for life beyond the classroom. “My motivation comes from wanting to strengthen those foundations—reading, writing, math, and critical thinking—so that every student has the tools to succeed. At the same time, I believe in fostering an environment of mutual respect and responsibility, where students, teachers, and families work together toward a shared goal of excellence. Improving our district’s academic ranking will come naturally when we set consistent expectations, prioritize fundamentals, and support teachers in delivering that vision.”

A lifelong resident and NFHS graduate, he calls for clear expectations and accountability. “Accountability starts with a clear process and follow-through,” he said, listing “written take-aways, follow-up reports, and public updates posted online.”

On technology, he noted, “AI is a tool—not a teacher.” He also supports a ban on cell phones during school hours, except for emergencies, to help students focus and reduce anxiety. “Technology should not dictate our children’s mental health or social development. Families and educators must work together to set boundaries that restore balance and personal interaction.”

Amy Johnson (R)

A current BOE member, Johnson is a proud New Fairfield resident for more than 13 years and is the parent of two children currently enrolled in the town’s schools. She works for the State of Connecticut in Danbury and is deeply engaged in community life.

Since her daughter entered kindergarten, Johnson has volunteered as an assistant coach for several youth sports, served for many years on the PTO, and led a local Girl Scout troop for eight years. She is seeking support to continue a second term on the NF BOE, where she is committed to helping students and educators thrive.

Johnson said, “I want to run again to continue the work we are doing in the district and propelling our district forward and increasing our scores.” She pointed to the district’s “Points of Pride” as proof of progress and noted, “We currently have an NFPS AI Work Group… taking the lead on researching how we can better understand and utilize AI in our school system.” Johnson believes in practical communication tools: “I would support creating a link directly on our school website with a spot for construction updates, updated weekly.”

Referring to school project delays, Johnson remarked, “The delays in these projects are frustrating. I think if we can have multi-board meetings more frequently with the PBC, perhaps they could help move things along faster. No one wants to hear excuses for delays, but I believe we can be transparent and communicate in advance as much information as possible with families… I think if we communicate all of the steps of what we are doing and who is doing what, that will show the families that progress is being made.”

Peggy Katkocin (D)

A 40-year resident, Katkocin has long been part of the town’s civic life. She holds a Master’s in Education and has worked in the schools as a nurse in both Consolidated School and the High School. Her sons are all graduates of New Fairfield schools.

She has served New Fairfield in many capacities, including as First Selectman, BOE member, Board of Finance Alternate, and current full BOF member. She chaired the BOE from 2017–2021 and supported and led the movement to build two new schools in town.

What motivated her run for BOE this time? She said, “I have previously served twice as a BOE member and have always supported our school system. I have respect for our administration and the efforts by all school staff to provide a solid education experience for our students…. Having served as the nurse in two schools I am aware of the pressures on our students and staff to consistently produce growth and progress. The schools cannot do it alone – parental and family investiture in a child’s education is essential.”

Speaking of transparency, Katkocin remarked, “The BOE and superintendent have worked to sustain open dialogue with parents and other boards in town. Residents don’t have to physically attend meetings to find out what is going on, and the major town boards have worked cooperatively to get information to the public. Some matters must be confidential and cannot be always publicly shared.”

Katkocin added that she hopes to continue strengthening cooperation among town boards while ensuring the district remains fiscally sound and academically strong.

Keith Landa (D)

Landa has worked in higher education for over three decades — teaching, leading faculty development, and helping campuses navigate change responsibly. He currently directs a university teaching and learning center at SUNY Purchase. He recently served for four years as president of the system-wide SUNY University Faculty Senate, where he worked closely with SUNY leadership on policy, budgeting, and academic priorities.

Locally, he has served on several New Fairfield boards and commissions (Finance, Planning, Inland Wetlands, Library), learning how to balance community needs, fiscal responsibility, and long‐term planning. He believes that the combination of governance experience and educational insight has prepared him to approach BOE work thoughtfully, transparently, and with respect for diverse perspectives.

Drawing on his SUNY system experience with AI tutor platforms and data transparency, Landa said, “This is an area where I bring unique strengths, having co-led multiple projects involving AI for the SUNY system. For example, I am currently working on a project to explore options to develop a SUNY-wide AI Tutor platform, where faculty can customize digital assistants to help their students work through course materials and assignments, all within a secure environment that protects faculty materials and student privacy. I’ve also led workshops and other programming to help faculty use AI tools for course development and delivery.”

He also shared his perspective on supporting a BOE social media communications plan. “I have dealt with this during my time at SUNY, where for official communications, we strive to have ‘one voice.’ A consistent, professional social media presence would help the BOE share accurate information quickly, highlight student accomplishments, and reduce confusion from unofficial sources. I’d favor clear guidelines that keep posts factual, nonpartisan, and focused on school success. Social media, when used responsibly, can strengthen trust between the BOE and the community, turning what can be a source of frustration into a platform for connection and transparency.” Landa clarified that personal social media accounts for staff and students are more complicated.

Your Voice in New Fairfield’s Schools

As Election Day approaches, residents have a valuable opportunity to shape the future of New Fairfield’s schools. Each candidate brings unique strengths and a shared belief that great schools are built through collaboration, transparency, and care for every student. The BOE’s decisions affect not only classrooms but the character and vitality of the town itself. Get involved, stay informed, and vote on November 4 to keep NF schools strong and our community connected.