To Belmont Voters: 'We Need to Keep Our 'Eyes on The Prize''

As a candidate for school committee, I would like to thank the Belmont Patch for its “Question of the Week” column. Having the opportunity to communicate thoughts and ideas about and for the Belmont Public Schools was very valuable. I would like to use this final opportunity to address a few of the issues that are before us.  

The Search for a Permanent Superintendent: Belmont benefited greatly under the 20 years of Dr. Peter Holland’s leadership, and is fortunate to have Dr. Thomas Kingston at the helm as interim-superintendent. Kingston has agreed to extend his term for a second year, allowing the School Committee additional time to conduct a search. The average tenure of a superintendent is four years, making it all the more important that we fill the position with the right person. If elected to remain on the School Committee next Monday, I expect to be deeply involved with the selection process.

Implementation of the New Educator Evaluation System: As a "Race to the Top" district, Belmont must implement the new educator evaluation system in FY’13. The new system holds promise for being a constructive tool for improving instruction to the students and facilitating the professional development of the staff. The new regulations are dense and the administration will do a great deal of work to prepare for the transition; but, I imagine that it will probably take a year or two to work through the details. I look forward to actively supporting the efforts of the administration.

Financial Stability: The instability of the economy for the past several years has been very challenging for school districts and town governments. While stability appears to be on the horizon, the ability to restore past cuts to services is not. Although the Belmont Public Schools has continually sought ways to find efficiencies that produce cost savings, without compromising quality instructional and support services, the projections for the economy suggest that where we are today is the “new normal.” 

Should costs continue to rise at a rate higher than the 2.5 percent increase in property tax and Chapter 70 revenue, the Belmont Public Schools will be challenged on many fronts. It will need to seek creative and innovative solutions to:

• stem the tide of rising class sizes at all levels;

• adequately support the classroom teachers so they continue to provide quality, differentiated instruction to all students; and

• continue to offer vital intra- and extra-curricular activities to students without alienating families with high participation fees. As a School Committee member, I will continue to contribute my financial skills to this effort.

Above all else, we need to keep our “eyes on the prize” – educating today’s students to be confident in their abilities; to be interested, empathic, and active members of society; and to afford them the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century workplace.  

I look forward to continuing to serve on the School Committee and ask for your vote on Monday, April 2.