I am running for re-election to my fourth and final term on the Newton School Committee because I am passionate about our schools, and deeply committed to helping our excellent schools become even stronger at meeting the needs of our diverse student body. This is an exciting—and challenging—time to be serving on the committee.  There are sweeping changes taking place in the world around us, and we must invest in our schools in order to provide our children with a great education.  At the same time, we are living in tough economic times, and so we must be open-minded, creative and as efficient as possible when making tough budgetary decisions.  During the past six years, I have been fortunate to be a part of a collaborative committee that has tackled tough decisions and made great progress.  I’d like to review my experience, accomplishments and priorities.

Experience

During my three terms I have led important projects and union negotiations, asked tough questions, researched issues and analyzed data, and engaged with advocates, parents and staff.   For 15 years I have been working to strengthen Newton schools, including co-presidencies at Williams PTO and city-wide PTO Council.

I am a scientist with a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University and I direct the state’s 180-person division of water supply protection.  I have direct experience in leading a complex public organization and working under tight budgets.

Accomplishments

During my three terms I worked effectively with the committee, superintendent and others to make progress in important areas including:

Improvements & innovation – I have worked to focus the committee’s time and attention on classroom teaching excellence and student achievement. Our strong new superintendent David Fleishman, who I selected, has expended great efforts in this area, helping spread best practices across 22 schools. I have supported innovations in special education, increased use of data to refine teaching, successful elementary math improvements, and new classroom technology. I have successfully advocated for school building improvements, better maintenance coordination with the city’s Public Buildings Department, and money-saving energy conservation projects.

Building a sustainable future – As chairman of the Union Negotiations Team I led the committee’s lengthy effort to revamp the School Lunch Program, saving $1 million a year and improving food quality. I am now leading our contract negotiations with the teacher’s union for a long-term agreement that is both fair and affordable, helping Newton schools for many years. With no big improvements anticipated in our municipal finances, the committee must work to address budgetary drivers so NPS can provide a comprehensive and equitable K-12 program with reasonable class sizes. I support increased fundraising efforts for technology and other school improvements.

Advocating for students & families – I have continued to work with individuals and school communities on issues including space crunches, transportation, and equity of services for larger schools. I have supported arts, music, and athletics in our schools and making sure that students with learning differences are provided great classroom opportunities.

Priorities and Future

My next term priorities include:

·         Budgetary improvements – The financial challenges facing Newton and other school systems require us to fully implement sustainable budget practices and to scrutinize all aspects of the system for efficiency and effectiveness. I will continue to work with unions on sustainable contracts, including the implementation of health insurance plan changes with significant savings for the school system and ensure high quality health care.

·         Improving school buildings and addressing overcrowding -  While gains have been made recently in school building maintenance, there is more to do. Overcrowding at Day and several elementary schools must be addressed with solutions that meet the school’s needs. I will work with city leaders to move renovation plans for the most deficient schools into design stages with a real financing plan.

·         Curriculum and classroom teaching – Well prepared teachers with great classroom skills are the key to excellence in our schools. We need to hire excellent candidates, effectively assess them, and encourage team-work and development within schools to focus on student progress and achievement. The committee must review curriculum issues, address challenges and ensure consistent high-quality results across the system. As a scientist I support further strengthening our STEM curriculum and activities.

The strength and reputation of our school system plays is vital for our city. We need to keep its strengths, deal with weaknesses, and work with our superintendent on great classroom teaching and learning for all students.

Please visit www.yeofornewtonschools.com for more information.  I ask for your vote on November 8th.