CT Patch Candidate Profile: Deborah Abel For Milford Board Of Education

MILFORD, CT — The 2025 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Deborah Abel, a Republican, is a Milford resident running for Board of Education in the 1st District.

Occupation:

Academic Tutor/former Paraeducator (20 years combined)

Family:
I’ve raised my wonderful son, Zach on my own from the time he was a young teen. He is grown now and makes me proud every day. Like many of his classmates, he has relocated out of state due to job opportunities. We enjoy visits as much as our busy schedules allow. I have two amazing step-daughters, Danielle and Morgan. I’ve since been re-married to Mike, a loving, caring, and supportive man, who enjoys his job in the homecare field. Together, we have a fur ball who lives for fetch and belly rubs.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

No

Why are you seeking this office?
First, for the students, I want to help improve their learning outcomes, from the current reading and mathematics proficiency of 50-55%, to the 80% scores, in both areas, achieved in Milford, just over a decade ago. And for their parents, I want to bring more transparency to the system they entrust to educate their children. I will listen and consider their valuable input and concerns. At the same time, for the taxpayers, I intend to help reign in rising costs through efficient and effective budgeting and spending. Many residents I have spoken to are perplexed by the notion that they must, at an ever-increasing rate, invest their tax dollars into a system, where student performance in the last ten plus years had continued to slide.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The single most pressing issue faced today is the rising cost of providing a public education to children as its quality declines, most notably over the last decade. A quality public school system is a key aspect to a thriving, desirable community. Families are drawn to areas where schools offer exceptional education. Also, it creates a positive cycle of stability and growth. In addition to the benefit to its students, high-quality public education supports Milford’s continued economic growth by attracting new residents and businesses, committed to long-term success. MPS enrollment has been trending lower over the last decade, culminating with a drop again in 2025. Some families are seeking private or alternative options for educating their children. Some, sadly, leave Milford altogether. Could this be attributed to declining literacy and math rates over the last decade? To the constituents I hope to represent, who are being confronted with ever increasing school budget demands, approved by past and current democrat held school boards of the last decade, declining student performance is unacceptable.

I intend to re-examine the budgeting priorities of previous school boards and the spending habits in Milford Public Schools, again, with a goal of returning to the 80% proficiency rates the children in MPS accomplished just over a decade ago

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Not being aware, yet, of where my opposition stands on many important issues, I know I will focus on my priorities to help ensure all Milford students are provided an exceptional education, while looking out for Milford taxpayers. I can work to build a consensus while considering the opinions of other board members. I have no agenda, only two goals; improved academic performance, based on high standards, and cost effective and efficient spending to meet the taxpayers’ expectations of the same, for the benefit of a thriving Milford Community.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
In addition to helping students at Milford Public Schools succeed academically I would like to give them a voice. According to the Safe and Sound Schools survey, published by ACT.org, when it comes to their safety, children don’t feel heard. Just half of them feel safe at school, and slightly more than that feel their schools give them a false sense of security. Children have expressed their desire to present their input during the decision-making process, believing that adults, while good intentioned, miss important issues of concern; issues such as mental health and physical safety. I will listen to their input, while examining what MPS can do to improve their safety, easing their minds, so they can focus on the fun of learning.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As a paraeducator, I have served Milford’s children, providing consistent, exemplary support for over a decade, and awarded Para Educator of the Year. I will carry this effort with me to the Board. As a former para, I bring firsthand insight of the successes and struggles of classroom teachers. Having worked with budgets, I know how to prioritize and what wasteful spending looks like, both in academics and facilities. I ran a growing business for nearly 5 years, managed a budget, and spent money effectively and efficiently, so I could provide my clients with top level service. The service here is education, one that equips every child with the academic and life skills that will prepare them for a successful future, and we need to spend money wisely to achieve that. As co-director of Milford Wrestling Club alongside Bill, my late husband, I helped run a thriving grassroots athletic feeder program in the City of Milford for nearly 25 years. We did this with no outside funding. Prior to my time as a para, I held positions in Human Resources Management and served alongside bank auditors to ensure accounting and regulatory compliance.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Throughout my life, I've received a whole lot of advice, some I’ve followed and some, taken with a grain of salt. What I live by, though, is my faith. I have God behind me, driving me to do what’s right, giving me the patience to listen, the strength to stand by my convictions and principles, and advocate for those who rely on me.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I genuinely care about every student’s success, and I believe engaged families play a key role in achieving that success. To that end, I look forward to hearing their concerns and dreams for their children. I understand budgets, I know how to prioritize resources, while not compromising on what is best for students and taxpayers.