06/05/2026
An important response from Matt Carbone:
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Since announcing my candidacy for the Region 20 Board of Education, a number of baseless rumors have been circulated about me. While I would much rather spend my time discussing the future of our schools, I believe it is important to address these claims directly.
I am running because I have dedicated my career to public education and believe I can help Region 20 make thoughtful, student-centered decisions. Throughout my professional career, I have worked to develop and implement fiscally responsible, cost-effective programs that improve outcomes for students while making responsible use of taxpayer resources.
One rumor suggests that I have a history of advocating for excessive spending. That isñ simply not true. I would never advocate for anything other than responsible, targeted investments in our schools. I have been, and will continue to be, a strong advocate for an education budget that allows our students and community to thrive. My public comments have consistently reflected that position. I have spoken passionately against arbitrary cuts to teachers, interventionists, and programs that directly benefit students because I believe educational decisions should be guided by evidence and student needs.
My residency has also been questioned. Let me be clear: I live in Litchfield and have for more than four years. During a portion of that time, I divided my time between Litchfield and other professional and educational commitments, including a doctoral program and work-related travel. After completing my doctoral program and accepting a full-time position in Connecticut, I established Litchfield as my primary residence and registered my vehicle to reflect where I was living.
There is also a false rumor that I@i claimed on social media to own a home in Litchfield or to be a Litchfield taxpayer before that was true. I categorically deny those allegations. Those making these claims have not produced evidence because I never made such statements. I have consistently participated in discussions as a “Region 20 stakeholder,” and I stand by that description.
By far, the most personal and offensive rumor being circulated is that I have misrepresented having children in our schools. While the girls I help raise are not my biological children, for the past four years I have shared a home with my partner and her children and helped raise them as part of our family. I attend school events, cheer at their lacrosse games, celebrate their successes, help with the everyday responsibilities that come with raising children, and share in their educational journey.
Like many families in our community, ours does not fit a single traditional mold. Families are formed in many ways, including through marriage, adoption, fostering, and blended family relationships. My girls refer to me as family, and I consider them my children. Our family experiences the same joys, concerns, hopes, and investments in our schools as every other family in Region 20.
I have never attempted to mislead anyone about my family. When I speak about having children in our schools, I am referring to the children I help raise and love as my own.
While these rumors are disappointing, they do not distract me from the reason I am running. Public service should be grounded in facts, transparency, and respect. I welcome honest questions about my candidacy, my qualifications, and my commitment to this community. What concerns me most is that these rumors distract from the important conversations our community should be having about student achievement, fiscal responsibility, educational excellence, and the future of Region 20.
I will continue to run a clean campaign. I will continue to lead with transparency and honesty. Most importantly, I will continue to advocate for strong schools, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, support for our educators, and opportunities for every student to succeed.
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Matthew Carbone, PhD
Region 20 Board of Education Candidatel
