Jennienne Burke
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Jennienne Burke is an at-large Democratic member of the Stamford Public Schools school board in Connecticut. She won a one-year unexpired term on the board in the special on November 3, 2015. Burke won re-election in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Biography
Burke is employed as a college and career readiness consultant. She is married and has one child who attends district schools.[1]
Elections
2016
- See also: Stamford Public Schools elections (2016)
Four of the nine seats on the Stamford Public Schools school board were up for general election on November 8, 2016. Three of the seats came with three-year terms, while one seat came with a one-year term. Incumbent Jennienne Burke, along with Antoine Savage (D) and Nicola Tarzia (R), won the three seats with the three-year terms. Eumir Antonio Abela (G) finished fourth in the race for three seats. Incumbent Geoff Alswanger (D) ran unopposed and won the seat with a one-year term. Incumbent Angelica Gorrio (D) originally filed to run for re-election to her seat but withdrew from the race before the election.[2]
Results
| Stamford Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 3-year terms, 2016 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Jennienne Burke Incumbent |
34.20% | 30,275 | |
| Democratic | Antoine Savage |
33.80% | 29,924 | |
| Republican | Nicola Tarzia |
25.46% | 22,542 | |
| Green | Eumir Antonio Abela | 6.55% | 5,795 | |
| Total Votes | 88,536 | |||
| Source: Connecticut Secretary of State, "Election Center," accessed November 30, 2016 | ||||
2015
- See also: Stamford Public Schools elections (2015)
Five seats on the Stamford Public Schools Board of Education were up for election on November 3, 2015. The following three at-large incumbents' seats were up for regular general election in 2015: Lorraine Olson (R), Jerry Pia (R) and Polly Rauh (D). Additionally, two unexpired terms were also up for special election following resignations from the board. Rauh was the only incumbent to seek re-election; her defeat saw all five seats go to newcomers. The election did not change the board's Democratic majority; post-election, the board had six Democrats and three Republicans. This is the highest single-party majority allowed by law.
Republicans Mike Altamura and Andy George won two of the three full-term seats up for election while fellow party member Gerald Bosak won one of the unexpired terms. The Stamford Republican Town Committee initially endorsed Gerald Bosak and Prasad Tungaturthy for the one-year terms and Mike Altamura, Andy George and former board member Nicola Tarzia for the three-year terms. Tungaturthy, however, withdrew from the race on August 31, 2015. John Ciuffo was selected as the new Republican in Tugnaturthy's place.[3] Republicans Altamura, George and Tarzia ran as a slate called 2015BOE Team.
Democrats David Mannis and Jennienne Burke won a three-year and one-year term, respectively. The Stamford Democratic City Committee did not endorse any of its incumbents for re-election.[4] Instead, the party endorsed Angelica Gorrio, David Mannis and Ligia Marroquin for the three-year terms and Jennienne Burke and Monica DiCostanzo for the one-year terms.[5] Democrats Gorrio, Mannis and Marroquin also formed a slate for the election.
Incumbent Rauh still sought to retain her seat on the board despite lacking her party's nomination. The Democratic board member chose to run as an unaffiliated candidate instead of forcing a primary election within her party. Rauh's party registration as a Democrat, however, meant the state law requiring a minimum of one-third of the board's seats to be held by minority parties following each election still applied to her in this election.[6] John Zito also ran as an independent petitioning candidate in the regular-term race. Rauh placed seventh and Zito eighth out of the nine candidates running in the election for three-year terms.
Rolf Maurer was the sole Green Party candidate for the election. He sought a three-year term, but he placed last in the nine-candidate race.[7]
Results
| Stamford Public Schools, At-Large (1-year terms), General Election, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gerald Bosak |
27.4% | 5,735 | |
| Democratic | Jennienne Burke |
25.8% | 5,384 | |
| Democratic | Monica DiCostanzo | 25.2% | 5,264 | |
| Republican | John Ciuffo | 21.6% | 4,517 | |
| Total Votes | 20,900 | |||
| Source: Connecticut Secretary of State, "Prescribed Form for Return of Votes Cast At A Municipal Election," accessed November 5, 2015 | ||||
Endorsements
Burk received no official endorsements in this election.
Campaign themes
2015
Burke provided the following answers to questions from the Stamford Advocate:
Why are running for the Board of Education? What qualifies you for the job?
| “ | I am running for the BOE because I believe that education is a vehicle to opportunity. I want to see students in Stamford access similar opportunities through education. My longstanding commitment and experience includes a combination of community engagement, advocacy and serving as a member on various boards and organizations. At the preK and elementary level I’ve served on the Stamford Early Childhood Collaborative addressing early childhood education issues related to school readiness. At the middle school level as a member of the Rippowam Middle School Governance Council, I worked with teachers, administrators and parents on school culture/satisfaction and student improvement issues. At the high school level I worked with SPEF as a College Readiness Consultant, conducting Naviance Family Connection workshops to students, parents and the community stakeholders.
Over the past ten years I’ve served as a mentor with local and regional organizations, providing academic, career and life skills guidance and support to a diverse group of students. These include at risk, high achieving students and first generation college students. Organizations include Ready Kids, A Better Chance, Darien and America Needs You. Most recently I’ve worked with Stamford Youth Services Bureau and the Office of Family Engagement to obtain feedback from African ‐American middle school, high school students and their parents about what it means to be college and career ready.[8] |
” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[9] | ||
What are the district’s strengths and weaknesses?
| “ | A district’s achievements show progress toward student educational outcomes. Over the years I’ve seen the many strengths and challenges that the Stamford school district has faced. Among its strengths are its numerous educational initiatives, champions, as well as its committed and caring teachers and staff.
The district strengths also include their increase in the number of students entering kindergarten with a preschool experience, college readiness partnerships and initiative such as Upward Bound and Project Open Doors. The district has had good corporate collaboration to launch the Strive model here in Stamford. Like all school districts the district has both strengths and challenges. While there are many well-intentioned educational initiatives and partnerships they are often siloed and lack measurable outcomes. Data drives outcomes. The district could benefit greatly from additional data support staff to help collect, review analyze data to support educational outcomes.[8] |
” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[10] | ||
How well has Superintendent Winifred Hamilton performed? Do you agree with her decision to retire?
| “ | The superintendent role is complex and broad. As such, there are aspects of the job that an individual will perform better at than others. A superintendent’s performance has, like any position, built-in accountability, responsibilities and requirements that must be owned. Regarding Dr. Hamilton’s decision to retire, I feel it is a personal and private decision she has every right to make.[8] | ” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[11] | ||
Should the search for a new superintendent be delayed until after the election?
| “ | The search for a new superintendent is a lengthy and involved process. The sooner the process begins the sooner a selection can be made and the business of administering educational regulations in the schools can be continued.[8] | ” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[12] | ||
How do you think the current board handled the Stamford High School sex scandal? What might you have done differently?
| “ | We all share in the misfortune of the tragic events that occurred at Stamford High School. It was a tragedy for the student, our school system and the Stamford community. The handling of the incident was the primary responsibility of school administrators and staff. The BOE’s response was compliant and adequate under the circumstances. Communication to the public regarding the findings could have been more efficient and transparent.[8] | ” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[13] | ||
The condition of the district’s facilities has been called into question lately. Should the Board of Education bring its facilities management in-house or should it continue to contract with an outside firm? Why?
| “ | Facilities management is necessary and ongoing. It is also a factor of cost, funding and the quality of the work. Having the appropriate information to address these relevant factors is necessary to make an informed decision about who should perform it.[8] | ” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[14] | ||
Define what you think the school board’s role should be in the district. Does the superintendent currently have too much power?
| “ | The BOE role is to monitor, develop and implement the district’s policies that impact student educational goals. As such it reviews issues related to current policies to monitor compliance of these policies. The BOE also approves a budget for the school district’s operation. The BOE works with and is responsible for selecting, retaining and evaluating the superintendent of schools. The BOE also builds support and understanding of public education, communicating and sharing the mission of the school district to the people it represents. The BOE represents and serves the people of the community who elected them to ensure our students are well educated.
The power resides with the community as taxpayers, and families as clients of the district schools. The BOE is the community’s representative. BOE policies should reflect and protect children safety and education.[8] |
” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[15] | ||
How specific should the Board of Education’s goals be for the superintendent?
| “ | The superintendent’s role is to administer policies established by the BOE and work to achieve the district’s goals. The superintendent’s role is mandated by legislation and recognized as an employee of the BOE. BOE goals for the superintendent should include understanding the board manages the process of the superintendent to act in the best interest of the district students and schools. The BOE’s goals for the superintendent should be measurable, attainable and relevant to SPS mission to provide safe and adequate education to the students of Stamford. Our district needs to keep pace with the fast growing 21st-century learning styles and technology, in addition to meeting the needs of our changing student population. The BOE and the superintendent should work cooperatively to achieve this.[8] | ” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[16] | ||
Would you make expanding preschool programs a priority?
| “ | Expanding preschool can always be viewed as an asset. Data and research shows that districts benefit from the long-term outcomes associated with high quality preschool experiences.
Preschool is an important foundation for learning. A longtime supporter of early education efforts, I have seen how early learning opportunities, especially literacy-based education, benefits student success in their later years. Student’s writing, comprehension and critical thinking skills are all enhanced. I would be in favor of such an expansion.[8] |
” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[17] | ||
How should the district better support the mental health of its students, given its limited resources?
| “ | Mental health is a broad issue and requires resources on many levels. Directing limited resources should have its greatest impact where it is most needed. District resources targeting assistance to parents and the home environments are important. The stress of daily life, living in a fast-paced, economically-challenging environment combined with responsibility of raising a family impacts both parents and students. The mental health of students could benefit from interventions that are focused on supporting families and their home environment such as parent education and respite care opportunities.[8] | ” |
| —Jennienne Burke, Stamford Advocate candidate Q&A (2015)[18] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Jennienne Burke' 'Stamford Public Schools'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Stamford Public Schools, Connecticut
- Stamford Public Schools elections (2015)
- Incumbency no guarantee of success in Nov. 3 school board elections (November 6, 2015)
- What happened in Nov.'s top board elections? (November 4, 2015)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidate bios," October 8, 2015
- ↑ Tiffany Rouse, "Phone conversation with Stamford Town Clerk Donna Loglisci," September 6, 2016
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford GOP school board candidate withdraws," September 2, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Democrats dump school board incumbents," July 23, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Democratic City Committee, "Our 2015 Democratic Candidates," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Rauh to run for Stamford school board," August 5, 2015
- ↑ Connecticut Green Party, "2015 candidates," accessed September 10, 2015
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates answer why they’re running," October 8, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates talk about district’s strengths, weaknesses," October 8, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates: How well has Hamilton performed?" October 8, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates discuss search for new superintendent," October 8, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates talk about Stamford High sex scandal," October 10, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates talk about the district’s facilities management," October 10, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates talk about board’s role," October 17, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates discuss goals for superintendent," October 17, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates discuss expanding preschool," October 24, 2015
- ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Stamford Board of Education candidates discuss mental health services for students," October 24, 2015
| 2016 Stamford Public Schools Elections | |
| Fairfield County, Connecticut | |
| Election date: | November 8, 2016 |
| Candidates: | Three-year term: Eumir Antonio Abela (G) • Incumbent, Jennienne Burke (D) • Incumbent, Angelica Gorrio (D) • Antoine Savage (D) • Nicola Tarzia (R) One-year term: Incumbent, Geoff Alswanger (D) |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional measures on the ballot |
| 2015 Stamford Public Schools Elections | |
| Fairfield County, Connecticut | |
| Election date: | November 3, 2015 |
| Candidates: | Four-year terms: •  Incumbent, Polly Rauh •  Angelica Gorrio • David Mannis • Ligia Marroquin •  Rolf Maurer •  Mike Altamura • Andy George • Nicola Tarzia •  John Zito One-year terms: • Jennienne Burke • John Ciuffo • Monica DiCostanzo • Gerald Bosak |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
