Board of Education incumbent Erica Schwedel, a Democrat, is seeking re-election. The GOP holds a 6-3 majority on the nine-member school board. Five seats are up for election: three currently held by Republicans, two by Democrats. There are three Republicans and three Democrats running for Board of Ed, as well as one write-in candidate who is unaffiliated.
Here’s our exchange with Schwedel.
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Erica Schwedel
Please give us some background on you, including your history in New Canaan and your involvement with community organizations and/or local government/New Canaan Public Schools.
Erica Schwedel: My husband Andrew and I have lived in New Canaan for 15 years and have two kids at Saxe Intermediate and Saxe Middle Schools. I’ve volunteered from the start and have served as a volunteer or on the board of the Newcomers Club, New Canaan CARES, West School PTC (co-president), the Young Women’s League, New Canaan Squash Club, the NCHS Dome/Planetarium Committee, St Mark’s Boy Scout Troop 70, New Canaan Unplugged and the New Canaan Community Foundation. It’s been an honor to have served our schools on the Board of Education for the last four years, and during that time I’ve been Secretary for two years and Vice Chair for one year. I’ve served on the Communications (chair), Facilities, and Executive Committees.
What are your thoughts about the way curriculum is developed for New Canaan Public Schools and what changes, if any, would you make to the process?
Curriculum is developed by our educators, who are deeply knowledgeable about their fields of study, Connecticut and National standards, and New Canaan students. The curriculum committee brings forward changes to the curriculum in frequent presentations to the board, where board members have an opportunity to ask questions and collaboratively discuss design decisions. The curriculum committee also works very closely with our teaching teams in a feedback loop that ensures that New Canaan curriculum is working for New Canaan students. As for results, our 3-8 grade students regularly test at or near the top of the Connecticut State testing; our high school students continue to grow in both the number of APs taken and average scores; and our graduates report back to us that they were well-prepared relative to their peers. All of which is evidence that our curriculum development process is working, and I do not see the need to make changes to it at this time.
To what extent, if at all, will your party’s national agenda affect your decision-making at the local level?
I have a four-year history of approaching BOE issues with a focus on what is right for New Canaan students, families, teachers and the larger community. I’ve gone out of my way to build working relationships with all members of the board regardless of party. I strongly believe that New Canaan community members place a high value on competency and problem solving and I don’t see a place for either party’s national agenda in our BOE decision making. We are at our best when we keep our focus on the needs and future of New Canaan’s 4,100 students and their families
What are your thoughts on the proposed North School? In your view, what are the upsides to that project? What are the red flags, if any?
We are continuing to analyze whether North School is the best path forward to solve NCPS’ expected future challenges—namely elementary school enrollment near/over capacity in the next few years, 30-year-old buildings in need of meaningful renovations, and the continued challenges of educating 5th graders using a 5-8 middle school model. Important factors for the board to consider include the cost, programmatic trade-offs and flexibility for future growth. The upsides of the project include capacity for enrollment growth, moving 5th grade back to elementary school and creating facilities that meet the educational needs of students today, which have changed over time. My biggest concerns are the potential cost of the project and that it is impossible to know with complete certainty how many students we will have in 5 or 10 years. However, there’s no question that we must develop a plan for the future based on the best advice and assumptions available to us, while listening to the community and engaging the other town boards.
What is your single most proud accomplishment on the Board of Education?
The Yondr pouch initiative at Saxe Intermediate and Middle Schools is without a doubt my proudest accomplishment while serving on the BOE. As chair of the communications committee, I worked with the administration to get feedback from parents, teachers and students, and began using Yondr pouches for our 5th through 8th graders during the fall of 2024. For those who aren’t familiar with Yondr pouches, our students put their smart devices in a magnetically-locked pouch at the beginning of the school day, so they are inaccessible until dismissal. This initiative has benefitted the entire school community by removing the distraction of smart devices and strengthening our commitment to academics and interpersonal relationships at school.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
My chemistry lab partner in high school was Wally Szczerbiak, former professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
We are fortunate to have the benefit of Erica’s energy, dedication, and insight on the Board of Education. She has been attentive and responsive in that role, and I’m glad she is willing to serve our town for another term.
Erica works so hard for the benefit of our schools and our children. She is thoughtful, measured and super smart. I am grateful for all the time and effort Erica has already given and thrilled she is willing to extend her service.