2025 Patch Candidate Profiles: Jesse Schoolnik, Vernon Board of Education

VERNON, CT — Jesse Schoolnik is running for a board of education seat in Vernon.

Candidate's Name:

Jesse Schoolnik

What office are you seeking?
Board of Education

What town do you live in?
Vernon

Campaign Website
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Party Affiliation:
Democratic

Occupation:
Legislative/Regulatory Affairs (20 years)

Family:
My wife Marie and daughter Juliet, who will be two in November

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Town Council (2023-2025); Planning & Zoning Commission (2017-2021)

Why are you seeking this office?
Over the last decade, I have been dedicated to serving Vernon through Town Council, commissions, civic organizations & volunteer opportunities. As someone with a child who will be entering our school system in a few years, I am focused on making sure Vernon Public Schools continue to improve and grow, providing a welcoming and nurturing environment for all of our town’s children. I have worked both in and with the federal government for over 20 years and at the local level for 10 years. I want nothing more than to celebrate the best parts of government and work to improve those in need of change. I’ve never been one to simply complain or comment – I need to be actively involved and make a difference.

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 as a candidate for Board of Education is equity is education. I was lucky enough to grow up in an educational system that worked for me. But not everyone has that advantage. My main concern is for the children and we should be doing everything possible to make sure they learn, thrive and grow in our school system – and the road to achieving that won’t always look the same for each child. We can have our political difference, but the one thing we should all agree on is never turning a blind eye to the needs of our children.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
While I appreciate all of the work our Board of Education members, past and present, do for the town, I believe it is extremely important to have Board members who have school age children. What better way to understand the needs of our students than to have one at home? Currently, the majority of the Board does not fall into that category. My daughter will entering Vernon Public Schools soon and I would add the perspective of a parent to my work as a Board member. I will have my finger on the pulse on the true issues facing our kids and will make sure we focus on relevant policies to address those issues.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I believe our country is at an inflection point and I can’t sit on the sidelines. My campaign will focus on acceptance, understanding and fighting for what is right. We need to work together, focusing on what makes us similar, not different. We all have our own hopes and dreams, and my campaign will never stop fighting to make those dreams a reality.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have over 20 years of experience working in the political arena at both the federal, state and local level. I also have a background in early childhood education. Combining that with my service to our town and my joy as the parent of a young child, I believe I am perfectly suited to serve on the Board of Education.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To think about what others might be going through. As a child, it was so easy to focus on myself and my needs. But part of maturing is understanding that the experiences and advantages you have dealt with don’t apply to everyone. Every single person in our town has walked their own path and its important that we realize where people are coming from, what they are going through and how we can help them move towards the future.

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