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VOTE411 Voter Guide

County School Board, District 8

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    Ayleem Connolly
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Tanya Frey
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What qualifications and experience do you bring to this office?

What do you see as the top two issues facing this office and how do you plan to address these issues?

How do you plan to involve citizens in the decision making process of this office?

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I bring two decades of experience working in complex systems where accountability matters. I’m a licensed attorney, nonprofit executive, and CEO of Terra Firma Consulting, advising boards and senior leaders on governance and performance. I’ve led teams, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and currently serve as a board adviser. I’m also a parent in this district—public schools are personal. This role is about oversight and results.
The top two issues are student achievement and execution. Student outcomes have to be the priority—every student reading on grade level, prepared for what comes next. That means supporting educators, focusing on what works, and using data to drive decisions.

Execution is where we close the gap. We don’t need more initiatives—we need disciplined follow-through, clear accountability, and consistent oversight.

My role is to keep the focus on results—and make sure the work actually gets done.
I’ll involve citizens through clear communication, accessible meetings, and consistent updates so people understand both decisions and the “why.” I’ll create structured opportunities for input—community conversations, advisory groups, and direct engagement with families, educators, and students. Just as important, I’ll close the loop so people see how their input shapes decisions and builds real trust.