Harlan, Donna, Dan, Isaak, and Amanda for Board of Education

Democratic Board of Education candidates: Harlan Fichtenholtz (left), Donna Laich (second from left), Dan Hally (center), Isaak Aronson (second from the right), and Amanda Henry (right)

For Continued Excellence in Education 

  • Hiring and supporting great teachers

  • Elevating student achievement

  • Effectively investing in school infrastructure

  • Providing a stable and secure learning environment

  • Nurturing and supporting all children

Meet Isaak Aronson

Educator & Entreprenuer

Isaak Aronson is the CEO & Founder of SmartStart Education, a company established in 2007 to provide high-quality academic staffing and high-impact tutoring services. He believes that every student can exceed expectations with the help of a quality teacher. SmartStart Education has staffed thousands of teachers and improved the literacy and math skills of over 50,000 students across 15 states.

Dr. Aronson has served as a Senior Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University School of Education, been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Education Industry Association, trained thousands of teachers, starred in a weekly TV show about science, and taught middle and high school science.

Dr. Aronson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Tufts University, a Master's Degree in International Education from The George Washington University, and a PhD in Education Policy and Leadership from The University of Maryland at College Park.

Meet Harlan Fichtenholtz

Professor & Parent

Harlan Fichtenholtz is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Keene State College with 19 years of experience in higher education. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience from Duke University.

With his wife Erin, Harlan has been a Branford resident since 2008. Together, they have three children who have attended Branford Public Schools. His oldest graduated from BHS this past June, and his two younger children are students at BHS.

Harlan has found many ways to be involved in the community, from working to update the playground in Bayview Park in 2013 to serving as VP of the Stony Creek Association Board since 2021. Since it was reestablished in 202,3 Harlan has been an advisor to the BHS Sailing Team.

Meet Dan Hally

Retire Public School Teacher

I have the credentials, commitment and legacy that make me exceptionally well qualified for this position.

Credentials

I taught in the public school system for 21 years, the last 10 in the State Technical High School system. I have taught English, math, science, social studies, finance, computer applications and career development classes.

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Providence College, a Master of Science degree in Education from the University of New Haven, and a Master of Arts degree in Legal Studies also from the University of New Haven. I’m certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist in Word and Excel.

Commitment

I’m committed to making Branford the best place in the world to live. I’m a member of the Branford Land Trust and the Branford Historical Society; a Friends of Outer Island Docent; president of Save Our School; a Community Dining Room volunteer; a member of Wild Ones Native Plants and Natural Landscapes; Central Cemetery Research Committee member. In addition, I am a Branford Education Hall of Fame Committee member, a Connecticut Master Woodlands manager and served as Registrar of Voters from 2007 to 2023. As a registrar, I was responsible for ensuring that elections ran on time and in accordance with the law during times of flood, snowstorm, and pandemic. My two children attended Branford schools.

Legacy

I’m a tenth generation Branford native. My family has a long history of service to Branford. My great grandfather served on the Branford Board of Education for many years beginning in 1899. My grandmother was one of the first females to graduate from Branford High School in 1905. My great uncle, Raymond Van Wie, continued in his father’s footsteps and served on the Board of Education. His sister, my great aunt, Hazel Van Wie, was the assistant town clerk in Branford for over 40 years. My mother graduated from Branford High School (now Sliney Elementary School) in 1939. She then went to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and earned her degree as a dietician. She later used her dietetics knowledge as a cafeteria worker at the current high school for many years. My father, Larry Hally, served on the RTM for many years as a representative for the First District. I was a student teacher at Branford High School under the tutelage of two of Branford’s finest teachers, Tom Murray and Peter Stolzman.

I would like to continue to serve the town of Branford, this time as a member of the Board of Education. I have both the credentials and the commitment to continue the family legacy as an education advocate for the students in our public schools.

Meet Amanda Henry

Early Childhood Director

Amanda Henry is the Director of an Early Childhood School with over 23 years of experience in education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Connecticut teaching certification for grades K–6 (soon extending to Pre-K–6), and a Connecticut Director’s Credential. Amanda is also a CDA Professional Development Specialist, overseeing classroom observations for candidates pursuing the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

In addition to her leadership role, she serves as an Early Childhood Education Consultant supporting preschools in Branford and Guilford.

Deeply committed to her community, Amanda has served as Secretary of the Mary T. Murphy School PTA. She is currently the Registrar of Branford Youth Lacrosse and an active parishioner and Junior Warden at Trinity Episcopal Church in Branford.

Her most treasured role is that of parent. She is proudly raising a Walsh Intermediate School student and High Honors athlete.

Amanda’s career and volunteer service reflect her dedication to nurturing young learners, mentoring educators, supporting families, and strengthening community connections.

Meet Donna Laich

Lifelong Educator

Donna Laich has been a proud Branford resident for 25 years, living on Limewood Avenue with her husband, Bryan. They raised two children who attended Hamden Public Schools before both went on to earn undergraduate degrees from the University of Connecticut.

Education has been at the heart of Donna’s life from the very beginning. Her father, an elementary school principal, instilled in her a deep respect for the power of learning. Donna dedicated 35 years to the Wallingford Public School system, beginning as a high school teacher and coach. She led the girls’ volleyball team for more than 20 years, winning a state championship in 2000, and coached the boys’ tennis team for 11 years.

After earning her master’s degree and sixth-year certification in school psychology, Donna transitioned to a new role at Sheehan High School, serving as the school psychologist. In this position, she worked closely with both special education and general education students, collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to ensure student success. Her colleagues recognized her commitment and excellence by naming her Sheehan High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2011.

Donna’s dedication to public service extends beyond the classroom. In 2019, she was elected as a Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member for Branford’s District 7, serving six years, including four as RTM Clerk. In June of this year, she was appointed to the Branford Board of Education, where she continues her lifelong commitment to strengthening public schools.

In addition to her work in education, Donna is a passionate advocate for the environment. She is an active member of Branford’s Clean Energy Ad-Hoc Committee, participates in the Blue Earth composting program, and supports organizations such as Save the Sound and the Sierra Club.