New Canaan’s Matt Wexler has announced that he will seek a seat on the Board of Education. The Republican will seek party backing at the GOP Caucus on July 25. We put some questions to Wexler ahead of the Caucus, which is open to all registered New Canaan Republicans.
Here’s our exchange.
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New Canaanite: What is your background professionally and in terms of living and volunteering here in New Canaan?
Matt Wexler
Matt Wexler: I have lived in town with my wife and two children since 2011 and am a graduate of New Canaan High School. I have coached teams since I was in college and currently coach my daughter’s Softball and my son’s Lacrosse.
I have spent the last 20 years as an advertising executive in some of the best Madison Avenue agencies and most recently as a founder of my own marketing consulting firm. Advertising is a unique industry that brings together a diverse pool of talent, all of whom need to come together to produce the best results for their client. Over my career I have led and mentored hundreds of employees across sales, creative, finance departments, data and analytics. This has prepared me for achieving the best results out of the diverse stakeholders on the BOE.
Why are you running for the Board of Education?
I am running to keep New Canaan’s focus on a traditional educational experience: academics, athletics and the arts, fostering a secure environment for our children, and to support all families in having transparency into curriculum and the process. Having graduated from New Canaan High School, I want to make sure that my, and all New Canaan children, receive the same exceptional experience I received. Under the leadership of the current and past Board, New Canaan has maintained its spot as a top district. I will continue to work with the town and the administration to make sure it stays there. We must protect New Canaan from Hartford’s efforts to interfere in our ability to manage our district’s policies and with our parent’s and our board’s ability to properly oversee what their children are being taught. I will make sure that New Canaan stays focused on preparing our youth for success, especially in light of the educational gaps caused by the COVID lockdowns.
What do you view as the biggest issues facing our school district?
I think New Canaan is a wonderful town and partly because we have created an oasis that isolates us from the matters impacting the rest of the country. In order to give our children the best possible upbringing, we must encourage and foster this so that they can continue to focus on maintaining New Canaan’s tradition of excellence. This means keeping distractions out of our classroom, making sure our schools are safe and that every child is given age and capability appropriate opportunities to succeed.
How would you describe the ideal working relationship between the Board of Ed and district administration?
I seek to continue the excellent work of the current board in working with the administration. One of the primary roles of the board is to work with the administration on the goals for the school year. In setting these goals, the board helps to focus and prioritize the mission of the schools and how we will foster the best environment for our children to learn. After setting these goals, the board’s primary job is to provide oversight to the administration and guide them in achieving the agreed upon goals. The board and the administration must have a symbiotic relationship, one that fosters the best for our ultimate stakeholder – the teachers and students.
Finally, tell us something about yourself that many New Canaanites likely don’t know.
Both my wife and mom were teachers in New Canaan Public Schools. I have the utmost admiration and respect for teachers and the jobs they do for our children and will continue to support their desire to push our children to achieve their best.
Thank you Matt! You would be an amazing asset to our BOE.
A great dad and man. Matt x2, Lara, and Hugo are a strong slate.
You say “We have created an oasis that isolates us from the matters impacting the rest of the country.” like it’s a good thing and a goal. Shouldn’t our children know about regional, state and national matters when they leave “the bubble”?
Hi Toddy,
In response to your question – it is a good thing and a goal. New Canaan is a premier destination for families who want to raise their families in such a loving and productive environment. There are very few towns in the country that can compare to New Canaan’s level of commitment to community, safety, service and to raising our children with the near infinite opportunities for them to explore and excel. Why wouldn’t we want to keep it that way? I never said they shouldn’t know about the world outside our town, but that doesn’t mean we need to invite it in.
I don’t think you understood my comment. I mean that, although I agree New Canaan is a fabulous town, and a wonderful place to live (I have for 38 years), we and our children should not isolate ourselves from issues that affect us, such as lack of affordable housing for families, the increase in children with mental health issues, enduring racism, climate change, etc. I definitely mean that we should invite these matters in if it means facing needs in our community, and caring about the surrounding town which supply so many of our workers, including teachers and school staff.
You forgot the war in Ukraine with your virtue signaling Toddy!
Toddy, I’m interested in your specific solutions to affordable housing as it relates to New Canaan. 1) Should the Karp developments proceed as planned? 2) How specifically should 8-30g be modified, if at all?
#1. Should and will are two different thing. Let’s have coffee. #2. We should definitely have coffee!!
This thread is closed. Thank you.