Stratford Election 2025: Kristen Zapata Running For Board Of Education

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

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

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

Kristen Zapata is running for election to the Stratford Board of Education as a Democrat.

Campaign Website

https://www.stratforddemocrats...

Occupation:

Registered Nurse

Family:
Yes. My husband, Benjy, is a CDL-A driver who attended Stratford High School. We were married in the Rose Garden at Boothe Memorial Park, a special place that reflects our deep connection to this community. We have two children, Noel (4th grade) and Emilia (1st grade), who both attend Johnson House Elementary School.

Emilia participates in ballet and hip hop at Connecticut Dance Conservatory, while Noel is an avid Funko Pop collector and video gamer. As a family, we are actively involved in Stratford’s schools and community events. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and it’s a big part of why I’m so passionate about supporting and strengthening our schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No, no one in my family works in politics or government.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
No, I have not held any public office, either appointive or elective. However, I have served in multiple leadership roles within Stratford’s schools and community, which have given me valuable experience collaborating with families, teachers, and administrators to support students.

Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for the Board of Education because, after years of volunteering in our schools through the PTSA, I have seen firsthand the challenges that teachers, students, and parents face. Continuous budget cuts have resulted in high staff turnover, a lack of resources, and a climate where too many feel hopeless—wondering who to blame rather than how to move forward.

Funding our schools and providing teachers and students with the resources they need to succeed should never be a partisan issue. Unfortunately, it has become one here in Stratford, and our academics have suffered as a result.

I am running to change that. I believe in putting students first, supporting our educators, and working collaboratively to ensure that every child in Stratford receives the quality education they deserve. Strong schools build strong communities, and together we can rebuild trust, restore resources, and strengthen our district for the future.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the lack of adequate funding and resources for our schools, which has led to larger class sizes, high staff turnover, and limited supports for both students and teachers. This underfunding impacts everything - from academic achievement to special education services to teacher morale.

I intend to address this by advocating for responsible, student-centered budgeting that prioritizes classroom resources, teacher support, and equitable access across all schools. I understand the importance of finding the right balance between managing taxes and meeting our educational needs. By making thoughtful, transparent spending decisions, we can ensure that every dollar goes where it’s needed most while respecting taxpayers.

Strengthening our educational system not only benefits our students and teachers, it benefits our entire community. When schools are strong, families are drawn to Stratford, which helps grow our local economy, strengthens the tax base, and builds a more vibrant, thriving community.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
What sets me apart is the perspective and hands-on experience I bring as a deeply involved parent, community advocate, and leader within Stratford’s schools. This is personal for me. My journey into advocacy began close to home. In 2019, when my son was diagnosed with autism, I learned firsthand how essential strong special education services are for student success. Experiencing the challenges and triumphs of navigating supports deepened my commitment to ensuring that all students and their caregivers—especially those with IEPs and 504 plans—have the resources they need. That commitment only grew as I witnessed budget cuts impacting teachers, administrators, and families throughout Stratford.

As a parent, I know the frustration of watching an educational system fail to provide enough. And as a nurse, I know the toll of feeling undervalued when your intentions are rooted in care. What I’ve learned is this: we are only as strong as the resources we invest in.

I’m not a career politician; I’m a parent and a nurse who understands what it means to work under pressure and advocate for others. My leadership has been built through years of hands-on involvement—as PTSA Secretary at Johnson House Elementary, Vice President of the United Special Education PTSA of Stratford, and through countless hours spent working side by side with teachers, administrators, and families.

My approach is collaborative and solutions-focused. I believe in bringing people together, listening to the community, and making thoughtful, transparent decisions that balance tax concerns with the real needs of our schools. Above all, I will keep students at the center of every decision.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
In addition to advocating for adequate funding and resources, I intend to focus on several key issues that are essential to strengthening Stratford Public Schools:

Supporting Special Education and Inclusive Practices: Ensuring that students with exceptionalities receive appropriate services and supports is deeply personal to me. I want to strengthen communication between families, schools, and the district, and make sure that special education staffing and resources are prioritized so all students can succeed.

Teacher Retention and Morale: High staff turnover impacts everyone—students, families, and the overall school climate. I will advocate for policies that support teachers through relevant professional development, up-to-date classroom resources, and meaningful recognition of their work, so Stratford remains a district where educators feel valued and want to stay.

Equity Across the District: Every child, regardless of their neighborhood or school, should have access to strong academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and safe, well-resourced learning environments. I will work to address disparities and ensure a fair distribution of resources across all Stratford schools.

Family and Community Engagement: Strong schools are built through collaboration. I want to strengthen communication between the Board, families, and community partners, ensuring transparency and encouraging active participation in decision-making.

Balancing Educational Needs with Fiscal Responsibility: I understand the importance of being mindful of taxpayers while meeting the needs of our students. By prioritizing spending, seeking grants and partnerships, and being transparent, we can invest wisely in education while respecting the community’s financial concerns.

My goal is to create a school system that uplifts students, supports teachers, and earns the trust of families—because when our schools are strong, our entire community thrives.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My track record of leadership and advocacy within Stratford’s schools and community demonstrates my ability to take on this responsibility. Over the past several years, I’ve taken on multiple leadership roles, including:

Vice President of the United Special Education PTSA of Stratford (2025–Present)

PTSA Secretary at Johnson House Elementary School (2022–2025)

Chair of the Scholastic Book Fair (2022–Present)

Former Chair of the Kindness Closet/Uniform Swap and Booster Fun Run

Through these roles, I’ve successfully organized schoolwide events, managed fundraising efforts, collaborated with administrators and teachers, and built strong connections with families. These experiences required clear communication, organization, problem-solving, and the ability to bring people together around a shared goal—all essential skills for serving on the Board of Education.

Beyond my volunteer leadership, my personal advocacy journey began in 2019, when my son Noel was diagnosed with autism. Navigating special education services gave me firsthand experience working through complex systems, advocating for resources, and collaborating with educators and administrators to meet students’ needs.

Professionally, as a registered nurse, I work in a high-acuity environment that demands quick thinking, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Those same skills—listening carefully, making informed decisions, and advocating for others—translate directly into public service.

Altogether, these accomplishments reflect my commitment, my ability to lead collaboratively, and my readiness to serve Stratford’s students, families, and educators.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The best advice I’ve ever received is: “Don’t fake it until you make it; Face it until you make it.”

To me, that means showing up, doing the hard work, and not being afraid to fail. You get up, work hard, face challenges head-on, fail, learn, and then get back up to do a little better the next time. Growth doesn’t come from pretending - it comes from perseverance, honesty, and resilience. That mindset has shaped the way I approach my personal life, my career as a nurse, and my advocacy within the school community.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I genuinely enjoy engaging in open dialogue and learning about others. I look forward to meeting new voters, hearing their views, and discussing their concerns. Listening to the community is at the heart of how I approach this work, and I’m excited to continue those conversations throughout the campaign and beyond.