Cheshire Election 2025: Heather Fitzgerald Running For Board Of Education

CHESHIRE, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in Cheshire with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for seats on the Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission and more.

Cheshire Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Heather Fitzgerald is running for election to the Cheshire Board of Education as a Democrat.

Occupation:
Managing Director at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment

Family:
I have a wonderful family! My husband, Matt, of 22 years and I have lived in Cheshire for 20 years. We are the proud parents of three kids Taylor (20), Kaelyn (18) and James (13). My parents, Hilda and Gary, also live in town.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I currently serve on Cheshire's Parks and Recreation Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?
Over the years, I’ve been deeply involved in our schools and our town, in ways both big and small—I’ve been a room parent countless times, worked the long jump event at Chapman School’s field day for at least a decade, co-led the Cheshire High School Booster Club for 4 years, to now serving as Secretary of the Cheshire Education Foundation.

I also currently serve on the Parks & Recreation Commission, and a few years ago led the “Vote Yes to Bartlem Park Improvements” campaign, which led to the makeover of Bartlem Park that, with the new turf field, walking paths and band shell, has something to offer everyone in our community.
I’m excited to be running for the Board of Education because I believe our students should always be at the heart of every decision. I want to support our educators who bring creativity and innovation into the classroom, strengthen open communication with families even further, and make sure our schools continue to be places where families feel connected, teachers feel supported, ALL students thrive.

It would truly be an honor to serve Cheshire in this way, and I look forward to working together to keep our schools moving forward.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Keeping Cheshire's public schools strong. As I speak with parents, students, and educators, we can all agree that CPS works hard to give the students a good education that sets them up well for their next steps, whether that means college, a trade program, entering the workforce or the military. But this doesn't just happen. It takes so much...and we need to keep bringing the right people, tools and opportunities to the teachers and staff to keep our schools moving forward. Yes, we need to balance needs with fiscal responsibility, but having and keeping schools strong means a steady investment over time. Strong schools are the heart and soul of a town, and a significant part of what keeps that town a place folks want to be.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I think we all want good things for our students... I honestly mean that. Whether they have children currently in the system or not, we all have our hearts in the right place. I can only speak for myself, and what I'd like to see: support and trust our educators and encourage creativity and innovation in the classroom, strengthen open communication with families even further, and make sure our schools continue to be places where families feel connected, teachers feel supported, ALL students thrive.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I'd like to strengthen the communication the board members have with teachers a bit more directly and create more pathways for feedback. Also, it may seem small to some, but I'd like to see how we might work together with the town to make better use of the fields we have at the schools. I believe they can be better maintained and utilized. Our youth sports programs continue to grow, and we have some inventory that I'd love to see used more often and safely.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I currently work full-time at Yale, a job where I work directly in educating young(er) people for the careers they aspire to be in at the end of their programs. Also, I’ve been deeply involved in our schools and our town over the years, in ways both big and small—I’ve been a room parent countless times, worked the long jump event at Chapman School’s field day for at least a decade, co-led the Cheshire High School Booster Club for 4 years, to now serving as Secretary of the Cheshire Education Foundation.

I also currently serve on the Parks & Recreation Commission, and a few years ago led the “Vote Yes to Bartlem Park Improvements” campaign, which led to the makeover of Bartlem Park that, with the new turf field, walking paths and band shell, has something to offer everyone in our community. I work hard at everything I do. It would truly be an honor to serve Cheshire in on the BOE, and I look forward to working together to keep our schools moving forward.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Be authentic.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Win or lose, this has been one of the most incredible learning experiences I've ever had! I have so loved meeting and talking to people I've never spoken to before, learning what they love about the town and the schools, what they'd like to see changed, and their hopes for the future of our community. Thank you, Cheshire!