Gail Spector, author of “Legendary Locals of Newton”
As a journalist and blogger who has covered Newton for 17 years, I am beyond excited to announce my candidacy for School Committee from Ward 8. This seat is currently held by Margie Ross Decter, who cannot run for reelection because of term limits. Like all School Committee seats, this is an at-large position and all registered Newton voters can select my name on their ballots.
The most fun and rewarding years of my professional life have revolved around Newton. The best job I ever had was editor of the Newton TAB from 2006-2012, where I learned volumes about this city while covering thousands of stories about the Newton schools, city government and elections, and our fascinating array of residents.
My journalism career, which also includes three years as a columnist and reporter covering Newton for the Boston Globe, two years as a TAB columnist, and five years as a Village 14 blogger, has been almost entirely devoted to Newton. I covered three school superintendents, including the selection of current Superintendent David Fleishman; the funding, design and building of Newton North High School; the negotiations and resolutions of teachers’ contracts; the passage and defeat of property tax overrides; and hundreds of other issues. I’ve written or edited stories about many of our schools’ most successful programs and some of our community’s most devastating tragedies. I’ve read more school budgets than I care to admit, talked to and met with tens of administrators, and watched years of School Committee meetings.
I know most of the elected officials who have served for the last 18 years. More importantly, I’ve witnessed the relationships between City Hall and the school department, and I understand how the two entities work separately and together. At a time when at least five of the nine members of the next School Committee (including the mayor) will be newly elected, my experience and knowledge as a journalist covering Newton will be an asset.
I am also the author of “Legendary Locals of Newton,” a collection of profiles about some of Newton’s most notable residents dating back to the founding of the community until 2015.
My proudest accomplishments, though, are my two children whose time in the Newton schools helped bring them to where they are today: My son is currently earning his masters in teaching at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and my daughter is a junior majoring in environmental science at Colorado College. I am immeasurably grateful to the Newton Public Schools for their part in shaping my children into people who love to learn, care passionately about helping others, and aspire to make the world a better place.
I love and appreciate the Newton schools but I’ve spoken with enough students, parents, teachers and administrators to understand that there’s always room for improvement. The most important goal for our schools should be meeting the needs of all students, regardless of learning style, special needs, or background. We need sound fiscal management and a forward-looking approach that excites children to explore STEM classes and extracurricular activities, and that cultivates a love of learning.
Throughout my career as a journalist I have urged others to step up and run for public office. Doing so is more important at this time in our country’s history than ever. I can’t encourage others to run if I’m not willing to take the risk and make the commitment myself, at a point in my life where I have the time and energy to do so.
My husband and I bought our house prior to having children because we wanted to raise our children in Newton. It was among the best decisions we’ve ever made. I hope you will support me in my efforts to ensure that other families feel as appreciative toward the Newton schools as we do. Thank you.
P.S. This will be my final post as a Village 14 blogger for an undetermined amount of time, but I expect to be a regular and engaged participant of this blog!
@Gail– How do you feel about tackle football being a school sponsored sport? Appropriate? Not appropriate? If elected, do you plan to do anything to eliminate tackle football as a school sport?
Hello Gail,
Congratulations for taking the bold step of seeking elected office! Often exciting, sometimes a total drag, running and serving on School Committee has been one of the most meaningful endeavors of my life. As someone who has been shadowing and reporting on us forever you know this as well as anyone. There are times I’ve felt you’ve been hard on me and some of my colleagues but I’ve always admired that you’ve been clear thinking, objective, and unafraid. I think these attributes will serve you well on School Committee and I’m looking forward to spending time with you on the campaign trail!
@Mike: I’m not a big fan of tackle football, but I don’t have enough information yet on injuries (vs. benefits gained from participating in sports) at the high school level to give you the answer I suspect you are seeking.
@Steve: Thanks for the encouraging words!
@Gail– I’d like call your attention to the results of a major study on the relationship between football and brain trauma that was released just a day or so ago. This study looked for CTE [Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy] in the brains of 100 deceased pro football players. Of those 100 football players, 99 of them had this neurodegenerative brain disease found in people who have been exposed to repeated head trauma. The study also looked at the brains of deceased college and high school football players. CTE was identified in 48 of the 53 college football players, and 3 of the 14 high school players studied.
The new information prompted Dr Ann McKee, Director of Boston University’s CTE Center [and co-author of the study] to say this… “There’s no question that there’s a problem in football–people who play football are at risk for this disease.”
Gail, I would urge you to take a look at this recent study–along with other studies that implicate football as a major factor in degenerative brain disease. I would hope that you’d form an opinion on this issue, and make that opinion known before the election. I continue to urge the Newton School Committee to eliminate tackle football as a school sponsored sport.
When I watch School Committee meetings on NewTV it quickly becomes clear what attributes a person joining this small group must have in order to work productively to tackle the many issues that arise and to deal with long term negotiations that must be settled. You cannot hide on this Committee. You must bring a mature approach from true life experience, sound judgement, and a history and knowledge of our schools and our City. Serving on the PTO is noble, however is not enough and frankly has nothing to do with being a productive School Committee member. Gail will bring a plethora of attributes to the position. She is an adult, has years of journalistic history covering years of school budgets. She listens and sees call sides clearly and can work collaboratively. Over the years I have been so impressed by her intelligence and analytical mind. What stands out the most is her love for this City that she has dedicated herself to in so many ways. I am proud to support Gail and urge all to get to know her over the next few months leading to the election.
@Mike Striar. My parents didn’t want me to play football after our family doctor told them about memory loss and dementia that seemed to be plaguing several of his friends who played hard tackle football in junior high and high school. He suggested I wrestle or play basketball, which I did. with very mixed results.
@Bob Burke- I recall a V-14 thread a year or two ago when you reflected on riflery as an elective offering at Newton High School during your student years. I expect years from now most of us will look back at school football with the same disbelief that it was ever allowed as a school sponsored “sport.”
I want to thank Gail for getting into the race, I’m glad there’s an election.
Gail – Do you consider your opponent to be an “adult”?
Rick – We’ve been on the same page on so many issues over the years, but I find your statement to be troubling on several levels.
First of all, let me name a few PTO presidents who moved on to become effective School Committee members, completely committed to the school system: Susie Heyman, Anne Larner, Claire Sokoloff, Susan Albright, Ann Borg, and the legend in her own time, Dottie Engler. Several of these people were elected to be the chair of the committee. No doubt I missed a few and my apologies to those who served the system well.
These people were/are incredibly smart, committed to the system over time, and thoughtful in their approach to the issues facing the Newton schools. Most importantly, they saw – at a foundational basis – what needed to happen in order for the system to move forward as a result of their experience as active, involved parents. For their commitment, time, and effort to be demeaned as “noble” is mind boggling.
As you know, I’ve been a teacher in Newton for 30 years and I can assure you that the people who know the most about how well the school system functions (or doesn’t) are the parents who are there working in partnership with teachers and staff on a daily basis – and I mean daily.
A number of pathways can lead to elected office. To imply that one’s profession in another field is the better path to a school committee seat is an affront, not just to the parent volunteers who are the stalwarts of the schools, but to the teachers and staff as well.
Jane. Well said. Thank you.
You know I love you Jane! You are one of my favorite people. But a little over reaction to say the least regarding my statement. My wife was president of the PTO and I think she would make a great school committee One can be both but it is not the end all, nor is it “training” or proof of success on the School Committee. A simple statement validated by many who have served. I have great respect for all who serve our city in any capacity at any level. Just imparting what I feel after speaking with so many involved. It’s that simple. I guess I hit a nerve!
Gail, do you have a website, email address, contact info?
@Harry: I’m working on the website. You can email me at [email protected]