2025 Patch Candidate Profiles: Mackenzie Manning​ Tolland Board Of Education

TOLLAND, CT — Mackenzie Manning is running for a board of education position in Tolland.

Candidate's Name:
Mackenzie Manning

What office are you seeking?
Board of Education (4 Year Term)

What town do you live in?
Tolland, CT

Campaign Website
https://www.facebook.com/profi...

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Program Director Aerospace & Defense, 11 years

Family:
Yes, my husband, Andrew, and our dog Goose. My dad, Michael, is a big supporter of mine and also lives in Tolland.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
No

Why are you seeking this office?
When my husband I and moved to Tolland a year ago, one of the draws was having a great school system. I am running to serve our community and ensure that the school system is being supported and delivers to the needs of all Tolland's students.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
How to ensure that our schools are adequately supported without becoming a tax payer burden. I would recommend that we conduct a full gap analysis for the needs for the school and prioritize funding to areas where there is a significant gap, through exploring alternate revenue sources.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am committed to working together for common sense solutions that support the needs of the students in our town.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I intend to focus on better understanding parent and staff concerns and learning what support would be impactful from the BOE.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have extensive budget and financial analysis experience, along with volunteer exposure in the education field that would make me an asset on this team. I currently manage a team of program management professionals, all of those skills would be beneficial on the BOE.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The best advice I ever received was from my mom. "Always be kind."

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?