Endorsements

“Jodi and Stephen worked incredibly hard this summer, at a time when school is often the last thing on people’s minds, to engage over 400 registered Democrats (and approximately 200 independents) and secure their place on the ballot because they believe the ‘big ticket’ issues must be revisited and prioritized. I have no doubt that when they revisit these, they will do so with openness to perspective from our community and the kind of engaged listening they always employ. That’s the kind of Board of Education our families deserve to bring our children into a complicated decade of academic and professional change.”

“My partners and I at Susman Godfrey support Stephen not because we will agree with everything he does on the Westport BOE — and certainly not because we want to influence anything in Westport — but rather because we know him to be a person of extraordinary dedication, diligence, intellect, and honor. And we know him not just as a superb lawyer, but also as a wonderful husband and father, who wants to serve Westport for all the right reasons and to genuinely help your community.”

“As a deeply invested parent of two graduates and a current Staples junior, I am proud to enthusiastically support Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris for the Westport Board of Education. Having known Stephen for years from the soccer sidelines, I greatly admire his passion and integrity. My career in education constantly reminds me how privileged we are to send our children to Westport schools. Yet recent challenges have highlighted the critical need for stronger community engagement, transparency, and accountability. I know Stephen and Jodi will champion these values and work constructively with everyone, regardless of political affiliation, helping our schools thrive and keeping Westport a great place to learn and live.”

“I’m writing to implore Westport residents to vote for Stephen Shackelford for the Board of Education (BOE). I served with Stephen on the RTM and he is one of the smartest, talented, and truly decent individuals that I had the pleasure of working with both there and over the course of my life. And he’s humble so let me highlight some of his accolades. Stephen went to Harvard and then Harvard Law School, graduating first in his class. He then clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer of the Supreme Court of the United States. Subsequently, Stephen has made a name for himself as one of the most skilled trial attorneys in the area.

“I would support Stephen’s candidacy for any office. He is one of the rare people in life that is both smart enough to figure out the solution to any issue and has the diplomatic skills needed to bring that solution to fruition. But Stephen is also uniquely qualified to serve as a BOE member given his prior RTM experience, his four children that have gone through the Westport Public School System, and his vast knowledge of its workings as spouse to a PTA co-president.

“Our BOE will be facing numerous complicated challenges over the next four years, from redistricting to artificial intelligence and beyond. I trust Stephen Shackelford to make decisions on those issues on behalf of my children and hope he earns your vote as well.”

“I have worked at both Fox News and CNN, and in this year’s Board of Education election, I’m voting for individuals, not hand-picked party people. Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford are individuals with a proven record of service to our town. I trust them both to be strong, independent voices on a BOE that hasn’t had nearly enough of that in recent years. They’re also the only candidates offering good, concrete ideas for improving things in our school district, in a range of areas. I encourage anyone reading this to vote for both of them.”

“I’m proud to support Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford for our Board of Education. Over their many years of service, they have consistently demonstrated integrity, compassion, prudence, and a deep commitment to putting students and families first. I trust their leadership to keep our schools strong and ensure every voice in our community is heard.”

“After a series of disheartening and disillusioning acts by the current Board of Ed, we are thrilled to endorse and vote for Stephen and Jodi. We have known Stephen for about five years and could not be more impressed by his passion, intelligence, and commitment to the Westport community.”

“I’m proud to endorse Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris for our town’s Board of Education. Their integrity, honesty, and unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for our children make them the kind of leaders we need. They listen, they care, and they will always put students first. I trust them to make thoughtful, informed decisions that reflect the values of our community.”

“Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford are both deserving of a spot on the BOE. They discuss specific issues/problems openly and candidly, and I appreciate that, their desire for transparency, and their willingness to admit what this board has done well and where improvement is desperately needed.”

“I am proud to endorse Jodi Harris for election to the Westport Board of Education. I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Jodi in a volunteer capacity over the last nine years, including most recently when we served as co-presidents of the Staples PTA. In her volunteer work at Saugatuck Elementary, Bedford Middle School, and Staples High School, Jodi has proven herself as a leader who cares about and advocates for all of our students. Jodi is kind, sincere, dependable, and responsive. She will question our administrators when necessary and bring integrity and transparency to the BOE.”

“I know Stephen Shackelford listens carefully, does the hard work, has a balanced, even temperament, and comes up with cogent workable solutions. He knows how to lead. I am grateful he cares so deeply about Westport that he is once again stepping up to devote his time to improve the Town. He is far and away one of the most impressive public servants I have ever seen grace the Westport local government — both from an intellectual and character standpoint.”

“Jodi Harris and I have worked together for 10-plus years in PTA. She is a born leader. She is thoughtful and listens to all sides, but most important, she puts the children of the Westport Public Schools first when making decisions. She gets results, advocating for projects such as the new swim scoreboard at the high school and the Senior Tradition of the Senior Walk. This new tradition is so special: The high-school seniors visit their grade schools, and it is a wonderful memory for our high-schoolers to take with them on their next journey. Jodi was able to accomplish so much because her children are a product of the Westport Public Schools. She can see what needs assistance and then listens to parents, teachers, administrators, and students and then helps to make it happen. I think that Jodi would make a wonderful addition to the Board of Education. I endorse Jodi Harris.”

“I’ve known Stephen for nearly a decade now. He is a creative thinker and a wise counselor, an excellent and passionate lawyer, as well as a fundamentally decent and honorable human being. I have seen firsthand how he brings to his work a refreshing combination of independent thinking and humble and respectful open-mindedness to others’ viewpoints — and a willingness to change his position when confronted with new facts. I consider Stephen to be a genuine, ethical leader who cares about others and is always principled in his decision-making. I have no doubt Stephen will bring all this to bear in service to the Westport BOE.”

“I worked closely with Stephen at GE and GE Capital. He is smart, principled, does his homework, and never shies away from challenges. He fights in all the right ways for what he believes is right but also listens to, considers, and respects opposing viewpoints — a balance that is rare but so needed these days. As a longtime resident of Westport, I’d be thrilled to have Stephen join our Board of Education, where he will serve the families of Westport with dedication, passion, and distinction.”

“I met Jodi when I joined the Staples PTA Executive Board. She impressed me right away with her vast knowledge of Staples and the Westport school system at large. It was clear to me that as PTA president, she was passionate about what was in the best interest of the students and teachers and held that as her guiding principle. She is a tireless advocate for program enhancements and new opportunities and experiences for students and staff alike. She is the type of person who is always looking to leave things better than how she found them. She is no-nonsense, not afraid to ask the hard questions, and a great listener who values consensus building and actively seeks out opinions on all sides of an issue. I am so grateful to now be able to call Jodi a friend and can’t wait to vote for her for the Westport Board of Education in November.”

“Westport and the Board of Education can do better. Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford are our chance to make that happen.”

“My dad was a longtime English teacher at Staples and the president of the Westport Education Association. I graduated from Staples. My wife, our daughter, and our son graduated from Staples, too. I’ve talked with Stephen and Jodi and read their detailed proposals. I have no doubt they will take Westport schools in new directions, and I endorse them wholeheartedly.”

“Stephen and Jodi will ask the tough questions and make informed decisions that will better our community, not embarrass it. It is indeed time for a change.”

“I’ve put two kids through our Westport public schools, and I know how important it is to have BOE members who are committed to our kids and also to bringing their own independent judgment to the work and listening to both students and parents on what matters. That’s why I wholeheartedly endorse Stephen and Jodi.”

“We strongly support Stephen and Jodi’s run for Westport’s Board of Ed. As true forward thinkers, who are not afraid to challenge the status quo, they each bring a fresh perspective and can definitely be counted on to stand up for what is right. With children in Westport’s public schools, they understand the importance of, and are perfectly suited for, the position.”

“As a college student who attended Westport Public Schools, I am proud to support Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford, two individuals who offer thoughtful, principled leadership and deeply value due process. Jodi’s two decades of service and Stephen’s extraordinary legal mind make them the ideal candidates to restore accountability and integrity to the Board of Education.”

“Stephen is amazing! No matter what side you’re on, having a BOE member who is a stand-up character is the most important thing!”