Avon School Official Leaves Republican Party

AVON, CT — A veteran educator, longtime Republican, and current member of the Avon Board of Education has announced he's leaving the GOP.

Jeffrey Fleischman, a nearly 30-year veteran public school teacher and school board member, announced his candidacy for re-election to the Avon Board of Education late last month.

But, he said, he is running as an independent petitioning candidate.

Fleischman said his values have become out of alignment with the current direction of the party.

According to Fleischman, politics have become "increasingly divided, wrapped around an us vs.

them mentality that prevents us from addressing the true problems of our community."

According to Fleischman, the role of an elected official is to serve the town and its residents.

"I entered public service because I truly cared about our community, not to advance a political
agenda," said Fleischman. "Throughout my time on the board, I have made every decision
based on what I genuinely believed was in the best interest of our community and our students.
My commitment has always been—and remains—to the students, families, educators,
and taxpayers of Avon, not to partisan politics."

An educator for three decades, he said his stand on serving the schools will not change — just his party affiliation.

"I am committed to ensuring that Avon Public Schools remains a place where ALL students are
welcomed, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential," Fleischman said in a statement last month. "Every child deserves an environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances."

Fleischman touted his support for anti-bullying initiatives in the schools, high academic standards, school safety measures, and fiscal responsibility.

"Good stewardship of taxpayer funds means making strategic investments in education while eliminating inefficiencies that don't serve our children," he said.

"I ask for your support as I continue this important work—not as a partisan representative, but as an independent voice focused solely on what's best for our students, our schools, and our community," Fleischman said. "By running as a petitioning candidate, I'm giving the Avon community a true choice in this election—it's not just Republican or Democrat, but a voice that prioritizes our students above party politics."

The longtime social studies teacher also serves as a university professor and has served on the Avon Board of Education for eight years.

Fleischman has lived in Avon with his family since 2007.