A Track Record of Progress for Newton Schools
Improvements & Innovation
I have worked closely with all my colleagues on the committee as well as the school administration to make continuous improvements and innovations in a wide range of school functions, despite the budgetary challenges over the past several years. Examples include:
I have worked closely with all my colleagues on the committee as well as the school administration to make continuous improvements and innovations in a wide range of school functions, despite the budgetary challenges over the past several years. Examples include:
- Consistently push for facility maintenance improvements that have included new window systems, bathroom overhauls, new boilers, modulars, handicapped access and space improvements
- Led Union Negotiations Team to revamp School Lunch Program, saving $1 million per year and improving food quality
- Strongly supporting the rapid implementation the city’s ESCO program that uses a contractor to finance and implement major energy savings in school buildings at no cost to taxpayers
- Supported elementary math and technology initiatives from early budget guidelines through funding over multiple years to improve K-5 math teaching and to better fund the system’s Technology Plan
- Worked on the Special Education subcommittee to study program strengths and weaknesses, best practices from other communities, improve tracking measures and strengthen parent-school relationships
- Established improved professional development for teachers as a high priority through the budget process, encouraging the development of new curriculum and alternative on-line forms of teacher collaboration
Advocating for Students & Families
My ability to advocate for students and families on the School Committee is greatly enhanced by my lengthy experience as a school activist, PTO co-president and PTO Council co-president. Along with my 15 years as an involved parent across the K-12 spectrum, these experiences have given me a strong understanding of the school system and its challenges. Examples of this advocacy include:
My ability to advocate for students and families on the School Committee is greatly enhanced by my lengthy experience as a school activist, PTO co-president and PTO Council co-president. Along with my 15 years as an involved parent across the K-12 spectrum, these experiences have given me a strong understanding of the school system and its challenges. Examples of this advocacy include:
- Working with individual families and schools to address specific issues including class size, districting, facility problems, special education programs, transportation, staffing shortages, outdoor projects, personnel and much more
- Chairing the Bowen School space task force of parents and staff to determine the best course of action to deal with school overcrowding
- Carefully balancing a range of essential school features through the budget process including class size, breadth of program, extracurricular and music/art/drama activities at the three school levels
- As the liaison to the Newton Parent Advisory Council on Special Education, working to improve system-parent communication as well as program consistency and effectiveness
- As legislative subcommittee member I lobbied for better state education funding with legislators and through groups such as Stand For Children and Mass Association of School Committees
- Advocating for equitable distribution of resources across the school system, including improved ways of assisting larger schools and more crowded schools
Planning for a Sustainable Future
Developing fiscally-sustainable long term budgets is absolutely essential for the long-term strength of Newton schools. My significant training and experience in public sector management and budgeting gives me a strong understanding of the tools required, and hard decisions necessary, to make this happen. Some examples include:
Developing fiscally-sustainable long term budgets is absolutely essential for the long-term strength of Newton schools. My significant training and experience in public sector management and budgeting gives me a strong understanding of the tools required, and hard decisions necessary, to make this happen. Some examples include:
- Chairing the Union Negotiations Team to reach a long-term agreement with the Newton Teacher's Association that is fair and affordable, helping Newton schools for years to come
- Helped initiate and implement the long overdue development of a facilities plan to prioritize the renovations of our aging school buildings, apply for state school building aid, and maintain our neighborhood elementary school system
- Strongly supported the new fundraising policy for Newton schools
- Working with City Hall to implement employee health insurance changes that both save significant money and provide affordable, high-quality care for NPS staff
