Patch Candidate Profile: Adam Vandervoort For Stamford Board Of Education

STAMFORD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the city.

Candidate's Name:
Adam Vandervoort

What office are you seeking?
Board of Education

What town do you live in?
Stamford

Campaign Website
https://adamforstamford.com/

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Corporate attorney for 26 years

Family:
My wife is Jessica Vandervoort. Our daughter is Frances Vandervoort and our son is Henry Vandervoort. Frances and Henry both attended Stamford's public schools, graduating in 2021 and 2024, respectively.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
From 2014 to 2017, I was a member of the Stamford Board of Ethics.

Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking election to the Stamford Board of Education because our schools require governance that is disciplined, transparent and grounded in experience. The Board must remain mindful of its responsibilities by clearly understanding the legal and procedural framework in which it is operating. This will avoid unnecessary political skirmishes and enhance public confidence in the Board’s ability to act with consistency and integrity.

Equally important, Stamford generally underappreciates the genuine strengths of its public schools. The persistent perception of underperformance distorts priorities and creates the risk of underinvestment in a system that, in truth, serves students far better than it is often given credit for.

At a moment when the Board must recruit and hire a new superintendent and oversee the construction of new schools, Stamford needs leadership that combines legal acumen with executive experience. I bring the skills, judgment, and perspective necessary to ensure these initiatives are managed effectively and that our schools receive the respect and support they deserve.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
My two children graduated from Stamford High School in 2024 and 2021, respectively, after having attended Stark and Dolan. They had great (though not perfect) experiences with SPS. However, many children do not have good experiences, and this is what we must strive to remedy. Thus, the issue that I would identify as the most critical is the persistent achievement gap, especially for economically disadvantaged students, multi-lingual learners and students with special needs.

SPS has made progress: test scores in reading and math have improved, and new curricula and intervention programs are helping. Yet, economically disadvantaged students, multi-lingual learners and students in special education are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks at the same rate as their peers. Also, out-of-district special education costs are rising, which suggests some students are not getting the support they need within our schools.

The solutions I would propose are as follows:

1. Strengthen In-District Special Education and Multi-Lingual-Learner Support: expand specialized staff in every school, create resource hubs for higher-need students, and improve local services so fewer students are placed out-of-district.

2. Prioritize Differentiated and Individualized Instruction: support teaching with training, resources, and accountability, and use formative assessments consistently to close learning gaps early.

3. Align Budget and Policy with Educational Priorities: direct resources toward staff, training, and materials, and ensure transparent reporting so the community can track progress.

4. Engage Families, Teachers, and Community in Co-Design: strengthen culturally responsive supports, provide communication and training for families, and incorporate teacher input into policy and implementation.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
This is the first time I have sought elective office. I love the Stamford Public Schools and my only ambition is in helping the Board of Education function as effectively as possible. I am a parent of two recent ('24 and '21) graduates of Stamford High School.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
The Board of Education will hire a new superintendent in 2026. The superintendent is the most important hire our city will make for the schools in the foreseeable future. I believe SPS needs a leader with a vision for excellence, someone who can set clear, measurable goals and be fully transparent with the community about progress through data. The right superintendent should be a strong communicator and collaborator, working in true partnership with the Board of Education, teachers, families and students.

At the same time, the superintendent should arrive with curiosity and humility, taking the time to understand what’s already working in SPS and where change is needed. Finally, we need a leader with a demonstrated ability to serve a diverse student population effectively, ensuring every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I bring a combination of professional expertise, executive leadership and personal commitment to Stamford Public Schools. For more than 26 years, I have worked as a corporate attorney and executive officer at public companies, managing a 100-person department to budget and guiding complex issues to resolution. That experience has taught me how to find consensus among differing viewpoints, apply discipline and transparency to decision-making, and keep organizations accountable.

Closer to home, my wife and I chose Stamford in 2007 so that our two children could attend Stamford’s public schools, and they both recently graduated from Stamford High (SHS ’24 and ’21, respectively) after attending Dolan and Stark. I’ve seen firsthand the strengths and challenges of the system. In addition, I served on Stamford’s Board of Ethics from 2014 to 2017, where I worked to ensure fairness, integrity and trust in city government.

In the next few years, the Board of Education will hire a new superintendent and oversee major school construction projects. Stamford needs Board members who combine legal acumen, executive experience and a deep personal investment in our schools. I believe my background equips me to serve effectively and to strengthen public confidence in the Board’s work.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
"It's not personal."

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Since the day in 1992 that I was old enough to register to vote, I have been a Democrat. I believe in the fundamental equality of all people, and that the government must actively intervene in the economy to reduce unjust outcomes.

I believe public education is the foundation of both our democracy and our economy. Every child in Stamford, no matter their background or neighborhood, deserves access to a high-quality, fully funded public education that prepares them to succeed in life and contribute to our community.