CT Patch Candidate Profile: Jodi Harris For Board Of Education

WESTPORT, CT — The 2025 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Candidate's Name:
Jodi Harris

What office are you seeking?
Board of Education

What town do you live in?
Westport

Campaign Website
https://harrisshackelford25.com/

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Editor (retired)

Family:
I am married to my wonderful husband, Patrick, and the mother of two kind and strong daughters--a Staples grad/ college student and a current Staples student. Rounding out our family is a Bernedoodle who loves cheese and long walks.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
No

Why are you seeking this office?
As a four-time PTA executive committee member and two-time PTA president, I have unique experience inside of Westport's beloved public schools and a hands-on perspective that is unmatched in the current slate. I will bring my strong work ethic, non-nonsense approach to leadership, and empathetic ear to the board.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Facilities! Our public school buildings have been left in disrepair for far too long, and the consequences have been expensive, frustrating, and disruptive. If elected to the BOE I pledge to take a magnifying glass to our buildings, analyze what needs to be done now, and discover what's on the horizon. I will work with all stakeholders to improve what can be improved, and replace what cannot. Most importantly, I pledge to work with the administration and Town Hall on a public/ private partnership, and not cast the entire financial burden on taxpayers.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Experience. In my role as PTA president I have attended almost every BOE meeting for the past two years, and have 15 years of direct and consecutive hands-on experience inside of our public schools. I also have a resume: I led the team that built the SES playground and completed the project in 5 months when the expected timeline was 12-18; I have championed grants across all 3 levels, including VR headsets for Special Ed, added microphones to the Staples auditorium, offered teacher mindfulness training, started a Running Club, supplied competition supplies for Science Olympiad; spearheaded book drives and programs that have placed thousands of books inside Westport classrooms and libraries (and in partner programs in Bridgeport); was the creative force behind the Senior Walk ... and more.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Special Education. The disparities in services is staggering and the stories of obstacles to getting those services can be heartbreaking. No parent should need to "lawyer up" to be heard and no parent should be required to hire an advocate to get into (and through) the system. Our district needs an ombudsman role; someone who will act as a force *between* the district and parents ... ensuring all parents are heard, all needs are met, and all students have what they need to succeed. If elected I will do everything to make this happen.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As an editorial director I managed a dedicated team of editors while working cross-functionally with the design/ sales/ marketing/ publicity/ legal/ subsidiary rights and executive teams, and all the while keeping the creative forces behind the books I produced--the authors and illustrators I served--happy, engaged, and meaningfully heard.

As a PTA president I ran executive teams of 15-20 people while overseeing dozens of committees and upwards of 75 volunteers. I have managed huge budgets, worked collaboratively with teachers, administrators and yes, even the BOE! I am excited to bring this experience to the next level.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Listen, and never assume. It was during my first WPS executive PTA role and I assumed an idea I voiced was fresh, unique, and hadn't been considered. I was wrong. I was encouraged to listen first, learn the history and the facts, and contribute meaningfully and without assumptions. This advice has never steered me wrong.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I’m not a politician, and I’m certainly not part of the “cool-kids” DTC machine. I’m a former children’s book editor, a proud Westport public-school parent, and someone who has spent 15 years rolling up my sleeves for this district.

I’ve done this work quietly, collaboratively, and without seeking praise — because it’s not about me. It’s about preserving the excellence of Westport Public Schools.

My commitment is to bring foresight, not reaction; oversight, not a rubber stamp; and common-sense solutions, not partisan politics.

If you want steady, accountable leadership that stands up for our students, supports our teachers and staff, and works respectfully across lines to deliver better outcomes, I ask for your vote