Relevant Qualifications (Limit 300 characters):
School Committee since 2005, Chair 2008-09, 2014-15, 2019-20. Contract negotiations, budget/finance leader. Resident since 1991, TMM since 1995. MS Finance and CFA Charterholder. Finance/technology/sustainability expertise. 30+ years involvement in town boards and community organizations.
What do you see as the most important goal you would like to achieve if elected [or re-elected]? (Limit 500 characters)
Securing community support for rebuilding Pollard. Our 2020 Facilities Master Plan update and the education plans developed by our principals led to our decision that a rebuilt Pollard serving grades 6-8 would best meet our students’ educational needs, preserve a unique 6th grade experience and be the most cost-effective solution for our community. At a critical time in their youth, the re-imagined Pollard experience will ensure our students’ successful transition to high school and adulthood.
What do you see as the biggest challenge of the of the Needham Public Schools and, as a School Committee member, how would you address it? (500 characters)
Helping our youth grow into healthy, resilient, well-educated adults during a challenging and stressful time nationally and globally. I will continue to prioritize recruiting, hiring and support of the incredibly talented, caring and committed staff who successfully nurture, teach, support and challenge our students. I will continue to support implementation of innovative curriculum, collaborative skills, and social and emotional learning into a sustainable, flexible learning environment.
When considering the School Department annual operating budget, what factors would guide you in making tradeoffs among competing funding priorities? (500 characters)
Our budget reflects our values – student learning, well-being & long-term sustainability. Portrait of a Needham Graduate is our shared vision for our students’ future. A framework I helped develop guides yearly budget choices to achieve that vision. I prioritize funding that develops and retains a highly qualified staff; supports ongoing refinement of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, provides a safe, supportive learning environment, and maintains an infrastructure supporting learning.
What additional programs, if any, should the Needham Public Schools implement to ensure the health and safety of students? (500 characters)
The health, safety and wellbeing of all students – and our staff – is a foundational priority. Programs and practices supporting student health and safety are embedded in all of our decisions and in everything we do in the Needham schools. Expanding social & emotional learning and increasing community engagement will build a more robust system by involving more stakeholders. I also anticipate a need for new programs to address the rapidly evolving challenges in cybersecurity and privacy.