Mark Buchanan, MD

About the Candidate: Mark spent 42 years as a practicing physician, a quality and utilization consultant, and an administrator in sizable health care delivery systems. Since 2002 he has taught medical and dental students at the University of Connecticut - many of them the product of public K-12 systems in our state. This has convinced Mark that systems like Avon have a great potential to leverage the commitment of parents and help students excel, but only if they focus on rigorous academics and leave to families the controversial decisions about the moral formation of students. This calls for a system that is truly parent-led, which is radically open to family involvement, and whose Board is committed to protecting the system from undue influence by regulators, legislators, and advocacy groups.
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Jessica Giulietti, MBA

About the Candidate: Jessica is a nine-year Avon resident and a dedicated mom of four who has spent the last 14 years raising her children and being part of the local and school communities. Jessica graduated from West Virginia University with a BA degree in Psychology and Communications. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Human Resources Management. She worked as an underwriter for AIG as well as a Human Resource Advisor. While employed at The Tribune Company and Hearst Media Services, she helped her clients attract top talent and offered solutions to retaining high-performing employees. She has also started a small home-based business. Jessica is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, and in QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program through the Farmington Valley Health District. As a mother of four children in the Avon school system, Jessica has served on the Avon PTO Executive Board and various committees, in addition to volunteering in various school district events. She has also studied and practiced mindful parenting, yoga, meditation and holistic healing through art therapy.
Why Jessica is running:
Jessica cares about all the children of Avon as well as the future of our town. If elected, Jessica intends to use her business and human resource experience to place priority on finding solutions to complex problems within our school system.

Dr. Kevin McGarry

About the Candidate: An Avon resident since 2006, has over 25 years of executive leadership experience in the financial services sector. He holds a Doctorate in Leadership, a Masters in Coaching, and an undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Connecticut. He gained direct insight into our schools as a substitute teacher in Pine Grove School after COVID and has coached basketball and softball in town. As the founder of McGarry Leadership, he is uniquely qualified to ensure strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, and student success for our schools. Dr. McGarry is committed to upholding rigorous academic standards, focusing on foundational learning, and strongly champions parental rights, including protecting fair competition in school sports by ensuring athletic programs are based on biological sex. Kevin is dedicated to fostering an educational environment that is accountable, transparent, and dedicated to parental partnerships.

Summer Yule, MS, RDN

About the Candidate: Summer is a 15-year Avon resident running for the Board of Education. She is a small business owner with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Health Promotion from the University of Connecticut. Her family moved to Connecticut from the Boston area for the excellent schools, and her son graduated from Avon High School in 2021. Summer is committed to protecting the rights of biological females to safe spaces and fair competition in sports under Title IX, while also ensuring that all students feel safe and supported. She believes in the importance of developmentally appropriate curriculum, transparency with families, and strengthening the connection between schools and parents to support student well-being.