Stratford Election 2025: Yvonne Temple 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.

Yvonne Temple is running for election to the Stratford Zoning Commission as a Democrat.

Campaign Website
https://www.stratforddemocrats...

Occupation:

Director of Talent Management (HR/Education experience 15+ years)

Family:
Yes. My husband, Chris Temple, BHS Alum and US Airforce Veteran and I have 3 children: 18 Freshman in college, 15 -10th grade, 7, 2nd Grade.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
NO

Why are you seeking this office?
For over a decade, I've called Stratford home. As a parent in our schools, a former member of the district's leadership team, and an active community member, I've watched our educators do extraordinary work every single day. That's why I'm running for the Stratford Board of Education—to ensure our students, families, teachers, and community get the resources and support they deserve to thrive.

My commitment to Stratford's schools runs deep. Over the past several years, I've had the privilege of serving our district as Assistant Director of Human Resources and later as Supervisor of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement. Through that work, I built genuine relationships with the educators, administrators, and families who make our schools work. As Mistress of Ceremonies at our annual Convocation, I had the honor of thanking each teacher for the love, passion, and tireless dedication they bring to ensure every child wins. Those aren't just nice words—they reflect a real understanding of what our educators sacrifice for our students.

That combination of experience—knowing our district from the inside while raising my own children in our schools—gives me a unique perspective on what needs to change and what's already working well. Our biggest opportunities lie in leveraging the human capital and community connections we already have. With the right partnerships, resources, and decision-making inclusion, our teachers can drive remarkable growth and equitable outcomes for all students.

I know Stratford. I know our schools. And I know what our community is capable of achieving together. Our collective vision should be clear: Stratford Public Schools—Where All Students Belong, and Where Every Student Can Thrive.

I'm ready to work toward that vision as a member of the Board of Education, and I hope you'll join me in building a stronger future for every Stratford student and family.

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 persistent opportunity gap that leaves some of our students behind. This is what I intend to do about it: I will fight for equitable resource allocation across all our schools and ensure all funding is used within our classrooms, hold district administration accountable to actively recruit and retain diverse educators who reflect our community, and ensure that decisions about programs and funding prioritize the students and families with the greatest needs.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
While I'm proud to stand alongside fellow Democrats who share my deep commitment to education as the foundation of community prosperity, my candidacy brings a perspective that comes from living every day inside our schools as a parent. I don't just advocate for Stratford's students; I'm raising mine here. I understand firsthand what our families experience, what our teachers need, and what it takes to make our schools truly excellent.

That lived experience, combined with my years of leadership within the district, gives me a unique vantage point. I've seen our systems from the inside. I know where resources can be better allocated. I understand the daily realities facing both educators and families. And I'm invested in this community's future in a deeply personal way; my children's success is tied to our district's success.
When families and educators see a board member who has walked in their shoes, who understands their challenges intimately, and who has skin in the game, they know their concerns will be heard with genuine understanding, not just good intentions.

That's what I bring to this board: authentic commitment rooted in real experience.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I'm running for Stratford Board of Education because I believe our schools are the heart of our community's prosperity. My platform rests on three core commitments: championing excellent education by securing resources and business partnerships for robust programs and career readiness; prioritizing equity and opportunity by fighting fair funding for all students; and creating safe, supportive schools built on restorative practices where every child belongs.

I want to educate the community on understanding that quality education and fiscal responsibility aren't opposing forces; they're achieved through the same mechanism: strategic, accountable use of resources with measurable outcomes. Real fiscal responsibility means rejecting the false choice between excellent schools and sound budgeting. Continuous educator layoffs don't save money; they destroy it by sacrificing institutional knowledge, continuity, and student relationships. I'll hold the SPS administration accountable to maximize every federal and state grant dollar, build community partnerships, and eliminate genuine waste while protecting classroom investment. When we retain quality educators and invest in strong programs, we attract families and strengthen our entire community. That's the return taxpayers deserve. Stratford deserves a Board that refuses false choices between excellence and responsibility. We can have both—and we must.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My track record demonstrates I have the experience, relationships, and strategic mindset to drive meaningful change on the Board of Education. As Assistant Director of HR and Supervisor of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement, I served as the district's senior leader for cultural transformation, managing equity initiatives across 1,200+ employees and 6,700+ students while navigating partnerships with five collective bargaining units. This taught me how to lead complex, multi-stakeholder organizations and align competing priorities around shared values.

I designed and implemented the District Diversity & Inclusion Plan, including systemic equity audits of hiring, retention, and promotion practices, and introduced data-driven reporting that holds the district accountable for progress. This experience proves I can assess organizational performance, identify root causes of inequity, and implement solutions with measurable outcomes—exactly what the Board needs.

I also led the Increasing Educator Diversity Plan, building pipelines with higher education partners to expand access for underrepresented groups. This directly prepared me to address our workforce challenges and build the diverse teaching force our students deserve.

Beyond compliance work, I've demonstrated commitment to community partnership and family engagement. I co-authored Alliance Grant applications that secured state funding to address chronic absenteeism through hiring a family engagement specialist and two dedicated employee who conducted home visits. I implemented the inaugural Family and Community Partnership Fair, bringing resources directly to families, and provided professional development to ensure staff understood the breadth of support available in our community.

What ties this all together is my understanding that schools don't operate in isolation. Real improvement requires building trust, aligning stakeholders, using data to drive decisions, and creating systems that work for everyone; not just those with the loudest voices. That's what I'll bring to Stratford Board of Education.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The best advice I ever received came from Pastor Alfred Watts during marriage counseling. He told us that in conflict, the question shouldn't be "Who is right?" but rather "What is right for the betterment of the situation?" That simple reframing changed how I approach every relationship including my marriage, raising my children, and my work.

In education, this wisdom is essential. Disagreements will arise about budgets, programs, and priorities, but the Board's job isn't to win arguments, it's to do what's best for our students and community. When I sit on the Board, I won't be asking "How do I prove my point?" I'll be asking "What decision moves us forward together?" That requires listening to people who think differently and finding common ground ensuring every Stratford student thrives.

This philosophy has guided me through difficult HR situations, equity work that challenged people's perspectives, and countless family conversations. It's about humility, perspective, and remembering that the goal matters more than individual ego. That's the kind of leadership our Board needs right now.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
At the end of the day, this race isn't about ideology or politics. It's about recognizing that every student, every family, and every educator in Stratford deserves a champion on the Board of Education; someone who will fight for them with conviction, integrity, and genuine understanding of their needs.

I've lived in this community for over a decade. I've raised my children in our schools. I've worked inside our district and built relationships built on trust and mutual respect. I understand the daily realities facing our families and our educators because I live them. And I'm committed to being the advocate they deserve.

I won't pretend to have all the answers, but I will promise this: I will listen more than I speak, I will make decisions based on what's right for our students' futures rather than what's politically convenient, and I will work tirelessly to ensure Stratford Public Schools receives the investment and leadership it needs to thrive.

Our schools are the foundation of our community. When they're strong, our entire town prospers. When our educators are supported, our students excel. When families feel heard and valued, engagement grows. That's what I'm running to build.

I'm asking for your vote—and your trust. Together, we can create schools where all students belong and where all students can thrive.

Vote Row A on Election Day.