ELECTION 2025 — From Classrooms to Community: What Candidates Say About Wilton Schools and Youth

The Wilton PTAs will be hosting a night of debate for candidates running in the upcoming 2025 municipal election for three of Wilton’s boards — Education, Finance and Selectmen.

This is the second time that the five PTAs — SEPTA, Wilton High School, Middlebrook School, Cider Mill School and Miller-Driscoll School — have provided the opportunity for the community to hear all candidates at once. At press time, nine of 10 candidates have confirmed participation.

The education- and youth-focused forum will be held on Monday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the Middlebrook School auditorium (131 School Rd.). The event will be livestreamed.

“During the 2023 local election cycle, the Miller-Driscoll PTA saw that there was a lack of engagement and awareness around local elections and their importance to the families of Wilton’s youth,” Julie Corbett, a PTA volunteer focusing on civic engagement, said. “We worked with the other PTAs to provide this opportunity to engage both the candidates and the community around youth-focused issues. We are happy to complement the work the League of Women Voters, the library, and GOOD Morning Wilton already do.”

Community members have been encouraged to submit questions for consideration. All candidates for each office will be asked the same questions.

Members of the Wilton High School Debate Club will also help run the forum.

“Articulating your beliefs and defending a position before an audience demands the highest level of understanding of the issues at stake. Debates offer a unique opportunity to evaluate not only how a candidate intends to address matters important to constituents, but also how effectively they engage with differing viewpoints,” WHS student and Debate Club President Lilah Gettler said, adding, “both of which are crucial considerations for voters.”

Connected to the election, students in both Miller-Driscoll and Cider Mill Schools will participate in an “Every Vote Counts” election day activity to learn about voting, elections, and community voice.

Candidates are running for positions on the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Appeals, and as Constable.

Early Voting begins Monday, Oct 20, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. All voting occurs at the Clune Center at Wilton High School (395 Danbury Rd.) this year.