From the NTA Facebook page:
The Newton Teachers Association Endorses Bridget Ray-Canada and Matt Miller for School Committee.
The Newton Teachers Association Representative Assembly voted unanimously on Wednesday, October 11th, to endorse the candidacies of Bridget Ray-Canada and Matt Miller for the School Committee open seats in Wards 1 and 8, respectively.
Both Matt Miller and Bridget Ray-Canada impressed us as courageous leaders who will stand behind the Newton Public Schools in our continuing effort to cultivate a civic culture of inclusion and equity. Both are clearly dedicated to ensuring that the schools flourish. Both impressed us as capable professionals who will be careful stewards of the schools, supportive of educators and administrators, but unafraid to ask tough questions when necessary. Both will put the children of Newton first.
Every candidate for School Committee recognizes that the Newton Public Schools has fiscal restraints. All acknowledge the need for trade-offs. How they think the schools must address this need distinguishes the candidacies of Matt Miller and Bridget Ray-Canada.
Matt Miller recognizes that “educators are in a unique position to give feedback on what is working and what is not.” He is unequivocal in his opposition to outsourcing the work of the Newton Public Schools custodians. He is committed to continuing to offer “fully comprehensive and well-funded health insurance” to NPS employees. And he “want(s) to work collaboratively with the unions to find creative solutions [to our fiscal restraints] where both sides feel their goals have been met.”
Bridget Ray-Canada also sees Newton’s educators as a key source of the schools’ excellence. She makes clear that outsourcing is not an effective strategy for financial savings and, even if it were, imposes high “social costs” in terms of “harm to employees, community, schools, and students.” She knows the district must find ways to close the budget gap, but recognizes that “Newton should continue to offer comprehensive health benefits to its employees.” She will make it a priority to work collaboratively with the Newton Teachers Association in negotiations so that the Newton Public Schools can “continue to recruit and retain the best educators” while “being sure the city can sustain the costs long-term.”
Bridget Ray-Canada and Matt Miller will be respectful, fair-minded and transparent partners to Newton’s educators and conscientious advocates for Newton’s children. They are the clearly the best candidates to represent Wards 1 and 8 on the School Committee.
I will ask the same question of the teachers that I asked Progressive Newton: What about the other two contested School Committee contests?
Candidates in the other two contests did not receive an NTA endorsement.
Because the NTA didn’t find an candidate that was endorsement-worthy or because all of the candidates were so excellent that they couldn’t decide?
An individual or group makes an endorsement when that person/group believes wholeheartedly in a candidate or a cause.
@Jane: That’s not always the case, of course. Sometimes endorsements are made for a candidate who is less objectionable than another. But thanks for clarifying in this instance.
NTA has never taken the route of endorsing a less objectionable candidate.
Jane, can you ask the NTA to release the questionnaires? Newton voters deserve more respect from the NTA. How can we take endorsements from an organization seriously if the organization prevents voter access to information?
By the way, newtonhighschools.com asked all candidates in contested elections to answer questions regarding high school start times. We will distribute the surveys, once I figure out how we are going to so. If you are concerned about start times and would like to be included on our email list, please email me at [email protected]. Please include your full name in the email.
I’d like to second Jeffrey’s request to publically release the NTA questionnaires, just like Progressive Newton and the LWVN released their questionnaires. Secrecy breeds suspicion.
Wow. That’s a unique justification. I prefer the sort of teachers who lead by example.
If a group goes to the effort of collecting answers and candidates take the time to answer the questions why not let voters have the benefit of seeing them?
Suspicion of what?
The president of the NTA, Mike Zilles, wrote a letter explaining the endorsements. The letter could not have been clearer.
Teachers read writing that lacks specificity every day.
Congratulations Bridget and Matthew – this is a well deserved endorsement.
Yay! I don’t know Bridget Ray-Canada, but do know Matthew Miller and I am thrilled that he was endorsed. He is 100% committed to our kids, and has been super active in so many places for them!
Greg – Your candidate didn’t get this endorsement. It happens in election season. Candidates win some and lose some-it’s all part of the process. What’s more telling to me is how it’s handled. If a candidate can’t handle not getting an endorsement, then the rough and tumble of public life probably isn’t the place for her/him.
This is the second week that you’ve accused a group who didn’t endorse your preferred candidate of lacking integrity in so many words.
@Jane: I’m undecided in both the Ward 2 race and especially the Ward 3 contest. That’s why I keep asking for an explanation as to why neither the teachers nor Progressives endorsed there.
We don’t even have video from the NewTV/League debates for 2 or 3 yet and few people here have commented either. It’s almost as if those contests don’t exist.
I can’t be the only one who thinks this is unusual.
Marti – suspicion of why the questions and answers need to be kept secret.
I’m with Jeffrey, Lucia, and Greg on this one. It frankly strikes me as a bit bizarre that the MTA should keep the questions secret. If an organization wants to influence voters with their endorsement it seems obvious that those same voters should know what they based their endorsement on.
As for “Teachers read writing that lacks specificity every day.” All I can say is Huh?!?
@ Greg
No worries, someone slipped me a copy of the questions:
“Do you like cupcakes?”
“What is your favorite flavor of frosting?”
“Have you found my cupcake recipe tastes better than those made by my neighbor, Mrs. Crabtree who can’t bake to save her life? Please answer honestly.”
“If you could be any kind of cupcake, what would it be?”
“If you’re invited to a birthday party and everyone except your best friend gets a cupcake would you share or keep the cupcake all for yourself?”
“Do you think all cupcakes should be allowed at PTO bake sales? (ie, how can we get Mrs. Crabtree to take the hint her cupcakes taste like foam rubber?)”
Here are my answers to the NTA questionnaire:
Name: Gail Spector
Ward: 8
1. Tell us about your background and why you are running for School Committee.
I am a 33-year Newton resident and the proud mother of two Newton-educated children. I am also a journalist who has dedicated the past two decades of my career to covering Newton schools, government and politics, and I am the author of “Legendary Locals of Newton,” a book about Newton. I am running for School Committee because my experience, capabilities and exposure to many different perspectives will enable me to make a real difference in addressing the needs of our system, understanding and resolving difficult issues, and helping to move our system forward.
I am so grateful to the school system that helped shape my children into such open-minded and curious people, and I am looking forward to contributing to improving the system in the years ahead.
2. How do you understand your role as a member of the School Committee? What does the School Committee contribute to running the Newton Public Schools?
The School Committee is charged with hiring and firing the superintendent of schools, overseeing the school budget, and setting major policy. I agree with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s recommendation that the School Committee should act as the “equivalent of a board of directors….”
I see a School Committee member’s core responsibility as ensuring that the NPS stays focused on its primary mission of educating, preparing and inspiring all students to achieve their full potential, within a financial framework that works for the community. The systemwide goals must reflect this core mission. It is also our responsibility to ensure that we are able to attract and support outstanding teachers.
3. What do see as the strengths of the Newton Public Schools?
The Newton Public School system does a great job of hiring dedicated teachers whose utmost priority is educating our students and inspiring them to contribute to the world. In preparing our students to be productive members of society, NPS excels at teaching students how to think rather than what to think. Students learn to think critically, collaborate, and apply their knowledge.
NPS also does a good job offering breadth of program. Students need and have the opportunity to find their passion in many areas outside traditional academics. I am especially a big fan of the Career/Vocational Technical Education program at Newton North. Because CTE allows students to experiment with or major in areas like business, carpentry, culinary arts, early childhood education and greengineering, students gain hands-on experience that can help them prepare for a career or college.
4. What are your concerns? What do you think needs to change?
The greatest challenge facing our outstanding school system is the budget. Enrollment growth and the need to ensure competitive salaries and benefits put pressure on the budget. School Committee members will need to make difficult decisions when weighing tradeoffs among competing needs.
5. Why are you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
My career as a journalist covering Newton and our schools, my years as a mother of two NPS students, my ability to understand complex issues, and my history of working collaboratively to resolve difficult issues will help me serve as an effective member of the Newton School Committee. As a correspondent covering Newton for the Boston Globe, a columnist and then editor of the Newton TAB, and a blogger at Village 14, I’ve reported on and covered hundreds of issues that have come before many School Committees.
I’ve covered two mayors, three school superintendents, seven School Committee chairs, and more than a dozen school budgets. I covered tragedies and celebrations; I wrote or edited hundreds of good news feature stories highlighting NPS programs, teachers and students; and I covered every step of the Newton North building project. I covered contentious property tax override votes for the schools and the resolutions of many contracts. I’ve had the privilege of talking to a principal at most schools and the head of most departments in the Education Center.
I also raised two children who are thriving in life because of their experience in our schools. I volunteered with Understanding Our Differences, I served as a room parent several times, and I was on the School Council at Countryside. I also volunteered with two other writing professionals to launch a school newspaper at Countryside for grades 3-5.
6. What is your position on outsourcing the work of the Newton school custodians?
I have great respect for the collective bargaining process and I’d prefer to avoid outsourcing if valued employees would lose their jobs. There may be circumstances, however, when financial and other challenges force difficult decisions. In making such a decision, I’d want to understand the benefits—both financial and non-financial—to the school system and the views of all stakeholders. I would also want to ensure that NPS stays focused on its primary mission of educating, preparing and inspiring all students to achieve their full potential.
7. What is your position on health insurance coverage for NPS employees?
I think Newton Public Schools employees should be offered the best insurance coverage the city can afford without compromising the mission of educating, preparing and inspiring all students to achieve their full potential.
8. What would you do to close the funding gap the Newton Public Schools anticipates in FY18?
I expect the next School Committee will be faced with difficult choices when reviewing the FY19 budget. While I don’t yet know the choices, I can commit to using my professional skills and experiences to ask challenging questions that will help the School Committee obtain critical information needed to make informed decisions.
9. We are in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee. If you were on the Negotiations Team for the Newton School Committee, what would your priorities be in these negotiations?
My priority would be to respect the collective bargaining process, bargain in good faith, and reach an agreement that all parties believe to be positive.
Mark – That is the most disrespectful, misogynist comment about teachers that I have ever read in the local media. Shameful. You just did your candidate a terrible disservice.
I remember a time in the 2009 mayoral race when Warren and Balser supporters began to go at it in a disrespectful manner. Both candidates made it very clear to their supporters that it was to stop immediately and it did. It’s called leadership.
I hope that this comment is left to stand. It’s a reminder to the residents of this community of the disrespect that teachers and city employees experience all too often.
Jerry – A number of questionnaires left the teachers without much to go on (information lacking) and that meant the candidate could not receive an endorsement from the questionnaire alone. The stronger questionnaires answer every question clearly and explicitly. When the candidate doesn’t provide enough information to determine his/her position on an issue, then that becomes important information to consider.
Secondly, you and Greg assume that the questionnaire represents the sum total of what is known about candidates for both PN and NTA. That is never the case in the endorsement process, as Greg well knows.
Full disclosure, I endorsed Bridget Ray-Canada and Matt Miller, as well as Anping Shen for School Committee.
That being said, the NTA should release all of the questionnaires and the candidates’ answers so that the public can make an informed decision. Local elections are important, particularly school committee, because they have a direct impact on voters’ lives, and transparency should be paramount when endorsing.
Just my two cents. I hope this has sufficient specificity to pass muster.
Gail, Greg, and Jerry – What do you think of Mark Mardosian’s comment?
@Jane, you didn’t ask me, but I thought Mark’s comment was awful.
Full disclosure, my wife is a teacher and a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and I assure you that cupackes and frosting and bake sales are not even on her radar when it comes to what promotes better public education.
Thank you, Ted. I appreciate the support.
@Jane Franz -i think his comment was juvenile, stupid and insulting.
@Jane: Councilor Hess-Mahan and Jerry appropriately summarized my feelings about your question as well.
But what did you think about my question asking why so little discussion is happening surrounding the Wards 2 and 3 school contests?
@Jane Franz – just curious, why was your question directed at “Gail, Greg, and Jerry”?
I believe that a candidate running for public office—and those who are ultimately elected to serve—must be open and transparent. For that reason, I will be posting my answers, in succession, to the NTA questionnaire:
Name: Kathy Marchi
Ward: 1
BACKGROUND and ROLE
1. Tell us about your background and why you are running for School Committee.
In 2006 my family moved to Newton so our children could benefit from our outstanding school system. Katja started the 7th grade at F.A. Day Middle School and graduated from Newton North High School in 2012. Dylan started at Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School, went on to Bigelow Middle School and graduated from Newton North in 2015. My husband Chris and I are very grateful for the teachers and staff who ensure that both kids received an outstanding education.
2. How do you understand your role as a member of the School Committee? What does the School Committee contribute to running the Newton Public Schools?
The primary responsibilities of the School Committee are to select and terminate the superintendent, review and approve budgets for the public school system, and establish educational goals and policies for the district consistent with laws and statewide goals. The role of a School Committee member is to uphold these responsibilities as an informed, committed and collaborative partner along with one’s colleagues. I believe it is also my responsibility to be a champion of our district, our administration, teachers, staff, and students.
The NPS School Committee contributes to the running of our schools by setting priorities and establishing values for our Superintendent, teachers and staff in the form of system-wide goals and overall support. The School Committee should have confidence in the leadership of our system while bringing the voice of students and families into ongoing collaboration.
When I worked for the Newton Public School system (I was an NTA member), I presented reports and updates to the School Committee and appreciated their informed questions and suggestions. I pledge to be informed, committed, and collaborative in this role.
Kathy and Gail, thanks for posting your answers to the NTA survey here. I hope the other candidates will follow your examples.
More from my NTA Questionnaire:
Kathy Marchi, Ward 1
STRENGTHS and CONCERNS
3. What do see as the strengths of the Newton Public Schools?
The greatest strength of the Newton Public School system is the teaching staff. As a parent whose children experienced very different paths in school, I am deeply grateful for the many teachers and specialists who guided, supported and challenged each of our kids to reach their individual potentials.
In my role as Director of The Newton Partnership, I had the pleasure of working with many of our teachers and am honored to have been a member of the NTA. As a School Committee member I will continue to collaborate and build on the relationships and knowledge I have gained from my volunteer and professional work including 4 years as an employee of the NPS.
4. What are your concerns? What do you think needs to change?
I have several key priorities.
First, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Cultural Competency: Newton is a leader in SEL across Massachusetts, and SEL skills are the foundation for the academic, social and emotional success of all students. They are also central to many of my professional and community experiences.
Second, Full-Day Kindergarten and after-school opportunities for all students: When I worked for The Newton Partnership, I developed out-of-school programs to help children across Newton. Research shows that Full-Day Kindergarten and access to after-school programs help to close the achievement gap and play an important role in achieving SEL goals for students.
Third, strong fiscal oversight: We must make thoughtful decisions around trade-offs to continue to build a top-quality school system. Funding for lower class size, SEL, and our early education supports is critical and can only happen if we are effective in building a financially responsible budget. At the same time, we must ensure that our teachers and all staff are appropriately compensated, as acknowledgement of their critical role and so that we can continue to have a committed and enthusiastic group of educators teaching our children.
My kids had a tremendous experience in the Newton schools. I want to ensure that others do too, regardless of their needs, challenges or income level.
Kathy Marchi, Ward 1
NTA Questionnaire Answers on MY QUALIFICATIONS, OUTSOURCING, and HEALTH INSURANCE
5. Why are you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
I have spent most of my personal and professional life working to help young people and families in need. I was Director of The Newton Partnership, a community organization that worked with other community groups to coordinate programs and services for Newton’s youth and families. We also created non-school based programs that provided real and meaningful opportunities for our children, often those with limited resources.
I was previously a Federal Grant Project Director for NPS, providing support to our youth experiencing mental health or addiction crises. I was the Community Liaison in the Social and Emotional Learning Department and expanded the training of parents/guardians and after-school staff in Responsive Classroom practices. These experiences gave me a wonderful insight into how to work effectively with our school system and other organizations to prioritize our students, and lead programs and services that could make a real difference in their lives.
My volunteer commitments have also given me a special window into the challenges facing many in our community, and I have learned that we can make a difference if we focus on the right programs and services. I am on the Board of Directors of the Centre Street Food Pantry, was a QPR Suicide Prevention Trainer, a teen mentor, and President of the Newton North High School Tiger Athletic Booster Club. These different opportunities remain central to who I am as a person, to my values and priorities in life, and to my commitment to work for all members of our community regardless of their needs or challenges.
I will continue to work for these values on the School Committee because I believe that the chances for every child’s success are significantly enhanced when families, schools, organizations, and agencies work together. I am running for School Committee because I want to utilize the skills and experience I have in Newton to help make Newton Public Schools even better than they are today.
6. What is your position on outsourcing the work of the Newton school custodians?
I am not privy to the confidential information that the School Committee has reviewed. Any conversation about outsourcing must begin with an overwhelming problem that can only be addressed with outsourcing. That problem may be financial (I am told that we are facing a very serious budget squeeze) and it may also be related to the experiences of our students and staff. I do not know if a compelling case has been made, but I would not want to proceed in the conversation if one cannot be made. Any decision like this has a human toll that does not necessarily show on financial statements and that too must be considered.
7. What is your position on health insurance coverage for NPS employees?
We must continue to offer comprehensive and affordable health insurance for NPS employees, and I look forward to making that a priority for the next contract negotiation. When I worked for NPS, my family utilized the health insurance coverage available to us under my employment and for this we were very grateful for the coverage.
More answers from the NTA Questionnaire:
FUNDING GAP, NEGOTIATIONS, and PERTINENT EXPERIENCE
Kathy Marchi, Ward 1
8. What would you do to close the funding gap the Newton Public Schools anticipates in FY18?
I will work with the Mayor, City Council and School Committee to determine how to enhance city revenues, to maintain the financial allocation needed to achieve school excellence, and to find efficiencies and savings within our school budget.
We also need to continue to move forward with the city capital improvement plan to ensure that our school facilities continue to be upgraded for both regular and special education students. I will also consider supporting opportunities to increase revenue, including an override, if necessary to rebuild our buildings and if various efforts are not sufficient to prevent the erosion of the education we provide for all of our students. I do not take the request of an override lightly as I am well aware—given my professional and volunteer experiences in Newton–that many in our community have opposed overrides and could face financial hardships due to an override. As a result, an override should be a last resort whether it is for capital or operating budget needs.
9. We are in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee. If you were on the Negotiations Team for the Newton School Committee, what would your priorities be in these negotiations?
As a former member of the Newton Teachers Association, I bring a particular perspective and set of experiences to this issue. My approach to collective bargaining is to find win-win strategies so that all parties can be satisfied with an agreement. I support ensuring that our employees are well paid, well-trained and treated with dignity and respect. I support the collective bargaining rights of our unions.
10. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
More than half of next year’s School Committee will be new. New school committee members need to have experience with both the public schools and with Newton.
I have worked for the Newton public schools and have been a member of the Newton Teachers Association. I have worked with both teachers and parents – on many projects, including training to help a young person in a mental health or addiction crisis, and in responsive classroom/home practices. I know Newton; I have experienced the Newton schools as a parent, as a staff member and as an administrator.
Newton teachers and staff were great to my kids. I want other parents and students to have the same support from the Newton schools that my family and my kids did.
Greg – You made no statement about Mark Mardosian’s comment. None. You need to say the words. Do you think what he said was acceptable? It’s a Yes/No question and perhaps some reasons to back up your answer.
Now I’m speaking as Jane the Teacher and not an NTA member. I don’t think the Ward 2 has been part of the larger discussion because there’s been very little campaigning that I’m aware of. This often happens when the opponent is a newcomer with a limited resume is running against an incumbent. Nothing new there, and I’m frankly surprised that you’re not aware that this is quite typical and happens every election cycle.
As for Ward 3, I don’t think either candidate has been widely known in the community over time. There’s less than a month left in the campaign, but I’d say that Anping Shen has been very visible in recent weeks and expect to see more of Eileen.
Typically, at this point in the campaign, candidates have made a personal connection with someone from the NTA, the teachers, or the staff – there is any number of people with whom to speak about school issues. They reach out to exchange idea and to hear what people who work in the trenches have to say about the history and current state of affairs in the Newton Public Schools. For example, Kathy Shields, Bridget Ray-Canada, Matt Miller, Eileen Sandberg asked to speak with me and several other people in the system for conversations.
When I have a conversation with a potential candidate, I provide honest feedback about what I see as the strengths and concerns in the school system. My goal in these conversations is to make all candidates the best they can be because they may end up on the school committee. I always suggest that candidates set up a meeting with Mike Zilles and each of the candidates I spoke to did so.
The conversations flesh out the flat questionnaire in which a candidate may make a statement that isn’t clear, or frankly specific. Some form of “I have to look at the data” is just one example of an answer that is not specific and does not provide helpful information to the reader. The data is public information and candidates should be prepared with better answers.
I have plans to meet with Anping and Gail this week. I will provide the same honest feedback to them that I have to other candidates.
test.
@Jane Franz – Yes, it makes sense that the NTA has additional information, besides the questionnaire, that they base their endorsements on. It doesn’t make sense though the NTA is jealously guarding the questionnaire responses rather than freely releasing them.
Of all the elected offices, School Committee is always the one that the electorate typically has the least amount of information about the candidates to base their vote on. The NTA, one of the major stakeholders in the educational system, has done the admirable job of polling all the candidates to get their detailed responses to a list of specific questions pertaining to our schools. The candidates have all invested their time to formulate their (hopefully) thoughtful responses to these questions.
Why wouldn’t the NTA release this very useful information to the electorate. It’s not just the NTA who needs to make informed choices between these candidates, it’s the rest of us too.
@Bob Burke – Test passed. OK for liftoff
@Jerry Reilly. No Jerry. Cut the engines. I printed and pushed this inadvertently because I thought I had a problem with my computer and that it would never get through. It did and that was all to the good since it proved I wasn’t having a problem with my computer. It was not a senior moment. Despite what you and others might think. I’m still reasonably in control of my faculties. Speaking of things that are scary, this is not like Trump having his finger on the nuclear button. Forge ahead.
I apologize for a lousy sense of humor at 1 in the morning. Also for the record, I have no candidate(s).
As for the rest, the following is what I have said to people for the past ten years, not having come to the party new. Because of the way God spaced out my siblings and myself and then my own children, my family and I have been DIRECTLY involved with the Newton School system from 1960 to 2016, for FIFTY-SIX CONTINUOUS years. And the fact is that between 6 people and their parents, we have dealt with over 500 hundred teachers and educators in those years. The objective fact is that in that time there were only THREE individuals who clearly needed to move on for their own sakes.
What a truly incredible ratio of professionalism!! I wish I could find that in other fields, including my own.
I have consistently maintained that verbally and in print. I’ve been married to an educator and teacher for over forty years and our continual discussions about education and teaching have been enlightening and helpful in my own journey. I have taught since 1980, teaching and tutoring part-time in private and public schools for ages 5 to college students, plus volunteering at senior centers as in Cambridge. (My first gig was two-hours on a Saturday to 16 year old youths-at-risk. I came home and said to my wife, “Geez, this was only two hours and I’m exhausted. How do their teachers do it every day?”). Currently, my continual efforts to bring art education to the rural areas of our country has been going well. The only reward I receive from that in ANY sense is the nice letters from incarcerated individuals who are doing the lessons with their visiting children, all with materials provided at no cost.
I will maintain the following: Any comments I make here or elsewhere about the school committee or the actions of the NTA leadership have nothing, n o t h i n g, to do with my opinion or feelings about teachers. None. For me, organizations and unions are different from the individuals in the trenches directly on the front lines. It was not my intention to equate cupcakes with teachers. Neither my wife nor my mother (also a teacher and admissions director) would’ve appreciated that. My attempt was to go off in an entirely DIFFERENT direction. I truly apologize for making such a lousy ‘joke’ with no point that clearly flopped.
Jane. It seems like everyone is saying (except you) that the NTA should fork over the surveys. You are avoiding the question. Since you are a member of the NTA, if you emailed Mike Zilles he might listen to you. You could tell him–feel free to copy and paste this in your email–“The community’s support of the NTA is crucial. Why are we being careless with this support by withholding information?”
My fear is that candidates might be telling the NTA one thing and telling the public another thing. The NTA (whether intentionally or not) is encouraging dishonesty and fostering election opacity. To be clear, I am not saying that any candidates are being dishonest. I am saying that the NTA’s policy encourages dishonesty.
To repeat the statement of a wise man (Jerry), “Why wouldn’t the NTA release this very useful information to the electorate. ”
Jane please answer. If Mike Zilles wants to take the heat off of you, I am happy if he answers instead.
@Mark Marderosian – Speaking as a guy who occasionally types before I think, I totally accept your clear and heartfelt apology for your comment gone awry.
Now back to the school committee race.
@Jeffrey Pontiff – I think the expression is “wise guy”.
Hi Jane, I am the newcomer in ward 2. I have actually knocked on more targeted doors than any other School Committee candidate (3000+ as of Sep. 15).
My resume is that I am the only NPS graduate running for SC, am a licensed realtor and am a lifelong resident of the garden city. My 13 years in the schools may count, to some, as a little more than a ‘limited’ resume. I also have the endorsement of some of your teacher colleagues from both NNHS and NSHS (viewable on my website).
My NTA answers: https://cyrusvaghar.com/2017/10/15/nta-questions/
On an unrelated note, there has been some assuming of race lately, both by the charter commission and at the diversity forums for candidates. Both of the groups behind these two respective events have done a great job and what I say below should not take away from that. The one thing I want to add is please do not assume anyone’s ethnicity. If you are interested in throwing an event, there are ways to ask if someone feels they should be included (instead of assuming). Thank you.
Kathy Marchi…. nice responses…I didn’t see anything in your answers regarding later start times for HS. What is your position on that? If for it, how would you plan on getting consensus and moving on this issue. For me, this is almost as important as finances, this is a health and wellness issue.
@Cyrus: thanks for joining Gail and Kathy by making your responses public. I encourage our all of our other candidates to do the same.
The candidates were either at Harvestfest or a forum all day.
Jerry – I asked you, Gail, and Greg because the three of you read Mark’s comment and wrote a comment, without so much as a reference to a most egregious statement about teachers and NPS staff. Not so much as a blink of an eye. It’s very telling when people let such outrageous statements stand. It was only when other people spoke up that Mark apologized.
Mark – Thank you for your apology. I continue to be extremely disappointed that Greg was unable to say that such comments are completely unacceptable.
Greg – Instead, you’ve chosen focused on questionnaire because your candidate did not receive endorsements from two groups. It strikes me that you’re trying to direct people to look at the trees, rather than the forest. Through multiple encounters with the endorsed candidates, they have proven to have earned the endorsement.
Life goes on in this household right now, but I have more to say about this issue. Teachers have a wide circle of contacts in the city, have had a very difficult, contentious relationship with the School Committee in the last 4 years.
Hi Jane: I’m guilty of many things, but beating around the bush is not one of them. Please stop telling me what my motives are. Thanks and have a great night.
For what it’s worth, it’s reasonable to ask people to publicize their answers to surveys of interest to the public. However, I’ve seen a lot of union surveys, including at the state and national level, as well as surveys for environmental, women’s rights, etc. and it is very common that surveys are kept private.
Typically, they say right on them that the answers won’t be shared, in what I assume is an attempt to get real answers out of candidates instead of realpolitik answers. Not sure if the teachers promised not to share answers or not, but if they did, they have an obligation to stand by that promise. Nothing’s stopping candidates from releasing their answers themselves though.
Here are my responses. Sorry for the delay:
1. Tell us about your background and why you are running for School Committee.
I am running for School Committee because I firmly believe that every child deserves the very best that our schools and community have to offer. Over the 18 months of this campaign, I have spoken with hundreds of people in different capacities across Newton. I have heard from parents, educators, empty-nesters, neighbors and grandparents. I have learned so much from working closely with parents, educators, and administrators in my role as PTO President of Oak Hill and Memorial-Spaulding. We all have a vested interest in the success of our students. Together we can proudly provide Newton’s children with the best education and future Newton can offer.
My husband and I live in Oak Hill Park with our three sons whom we adopted from the Department of Children and Families. They attend grades 3, 5 and 8 in the Newton Public Schools in both the general and special education programs. I have experience as a business owner, having founded my own executive recruiting firm. I understand the challenges of developing and managing a budget. I have had to make tough decisions and come up with creative financial solutions to weather difficult times, and will use these skills if elected.
2. How do you understand your role as a member of the School Committee? What does the School Committee contribute to running the Newton Public Schools?
I understand my position as a member of the School Committee as being a partner with the city, school department and citizens to make Newton Public Schools the best they can be.
The responsibilities of the School Committee are to set education policy, e, adopt a suitable budget, establish goals, negotiate fair contracts, hire and evaluate the Superintendent, and keep citizens informed.
3. What do see as the strengths of the Newton Public Schools?
● Well-trained and high-performing staff
● Special education Program
● Depth and breadth of programming
● Partnership with METCO
● Focus on excellence, 21st century learning, and reducing the achievement gap
● Support of diversity and inclusion initiatives
4. What are your concerns? What do you think needs to change?
I have a strong commitment to continuing excellence and improving our schools. As a School Committee member, the students of Newton Public Schools will be my highest priority. I believe each and every student should have access to high quality Newton Public Schools programs and services so they can have the best education possible. I will advocate for:
● Maintaining depth and breadth of programming in all the schools, closing the achievement gap, being creative with the delivery of special education programs and full-day kindergarten
● Preserving classroom experiences that optimize learning including reasonable class size and keeping up with the long-term facilities plan to ensure our buildings are updated for 21st century learning.
● Prioritizing the expansion of social-emotional learning programs across all grade levels and ensuring a well-thought out approach to implementing a later high school start time.
5. Why are you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
I am a small business owner, having founded my own executive recruiting firm. Together with my community and education experience, I have the right combination of expertise and commitment to be an impactful Newton School Committee Member. I understand the challenges of developing and managing a budget in tight constraints and have had to work with diverse stakeholders to prioritize initiatives and develop creative financial solutions.
In addition to managing my family and business, I have dedicated my volunteer service to education and our community. In these roles, I have developed a deep understanding of how our district works, partnering closely with parents, educators, and senior educational leaders in the Newton Public Schools, as well as community members of all ages and diverse interests across Newton.
I have served as PTO President at both Memorial Spaulding Elementary and Oak Hill Middle School with a successful track record of increasing community participation and generating new revenue for our schools. An involved parent with children at multiple schools, I have a good pulse on current issues of concern to parents, students and educators. As an active member of the PTO Council and Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, I have contributed to discussions involving issues in education policy affecting all 22 Newton schools, and I have regularly attended and I have made public comment at School Committee meetings over the years.
Eight years ago, I founded the Newton chapter of Destination Imagination – a globally recognized after school enrichment program (focusing on STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) for students K-12. Today the “full-inclusion” program enrolled over 400 students from nearly every Newton school–and some of our Newton teams have won state championships and placed in the top ten in international competitions!
Additionally, I am a community leader and activist. I am currently serving 600 of my neighbors as President of the Oak Hill Park Neighborhood Association, where I have significantly increased programming for both children and seniors. I also serve as a Board Member of Temple Beth Avodah, where I have led initiatives to enhance our caring community and welcome diversity into our congregation. I have gained experience working on a policy and decision-making board with diverse member viewpoints, and successfully collaborated on a number of expansion initiatives within tight budgets.
Each of these leadership roles have prepared me to hit the ground running as a School Committee Member.; I would bring valuable experience in budget development and oversight, education policy, and community engagement.
6. What is your position on outsourcing the work of the Newton school custodians?
I do not support privatizing the work of the Newton school custodians. While outsourcing could save money theoretically, it would likely end up costing more and strain the bonds of our community. Privatized workers do not have knowledge of our schools, strong relations with parents and faculty, and they are less likely to work outside of their job description. Privatizing could lower morale among remaining union staff and concerns about safety in the buildings have already been aired by teachers.
6. What is your position on health insurance coverage for NPS employees?
I believe in order to attract and retain the best employees, we need to offer a fully comprehensive and well-funded health insurance coverage plan.
7. What would you do to close the funding gap the Newton Public Schools anticipates in FY18?
The budget is a difficult process with many competing priorities. I will advocate with our new Mayor to have a sufficient budget allocation for our schools. Any year there is a gap between what we need and what we actually have to spend requires careful deliberation. Ideally, we wouldn’t have to cut anything, but that may not not realistic. The lens through which we should make decisions is what is best for the children. I prefer to make cuts where there would be the smallest impact on our students. Educators are in a unique position to give feedback on what is working and what is not and suggest creative modifications to our current program. I support efforts of educators to give budget input through their building administrators.
8. We are in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee. If you were on the Negotiations Team for the Newton School Committee, what would your priorities be in these negotiations?
It is critical for our children’s education to have the best possible employees we can find. Our educators are what make the Newton schools excellent. To attract and retain the best people, we need to compensate educators fairly. There will always be fiscal constraints, but I want to work collaboratively with the unions to find creative solutions where both sides feel their goals have been met.
10. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
I am an independent thinker who has a history of working productively in teams and finding creative solutions to challenging topics. I look forward to working collaboratively with the NTA.
Thanks Matt. Anybody else?
Nice answers Matt…..Go Matt!!!
I do want to bring something up though. Does it send anyone else a red flag that outsourcing is cheaper than us doing the work ourselves?? How is it that a private corporation we outsource to who makes a profit from the work they do cheaper than us doing the work ourselves??? We don’t pay our city employees more than they could get in the private sector, the city doesn’t turn a profit, than how is it possible that an outside firm does it cheaper?? Do they cut corners?? Even if we don’t pay the outsourced companies insurance, I am sure the corporation does and they still make a profit. Why can’t we learn from them. Am I nuts???
You might not support Matt Miller, but how can anyone possibly give his statement above a thumbs down. It was one of the most concise, thoughtful and thorough candidate statement I have ever read. It was also positive and uplifting.
These are instructions sent to candidates from Mike Zilles – instructions that each candidate read and agreed to when they filled out the questionnaire:
“As President of the Newton Teachers Association, I am requesting that you answer the following questions. After reviewing your responses to these questions, the NTA Executive Committee may make candidate endorsements in some of the races. Be aware that we may share your responses with our members.”
Candidates entered this process assuming that their answers would be shared with the NTA members, not the general public. They entered the process knowing that NTA may make endorsements “in some of the races”. Candidates may decide to share their responses, but should not feel obligated to.
After reading the survey questions from the four candidates (so far) who have voluntarily posted their statements, it appears that the union endorsed the two candidates who are firmly opposed to outsourcing our school custodians (Bridget Ray-Canada and Matthew Miller) but not the candidates (Kathy Marchi and Gail Spector) who said it’s inappropriate to take a firm position on something that could impact collective bargaining and/or needs deep financial analysis. (Vaghar believes custodians should be outsourced.)
Based on what I know of Margaret Albright, her answer was probably similar to Marchi and Spector and perhaps so are the views of the Ward 3 candidates — Anping Shen and Eileen Sandberg, although we don’t know that for sure.
Now it’s entirely appropriate and understandable for a union to endorse based on this issue. (And custodian outsourcing probably played a big factor in Progressive Newton’s endorsements too: Ray-Canada and Miller but no endorsements in Wards 2 and 3.
But why not just say this is the reason we endorse Ray-Canada and Miller but not any candidates running in Wards 2 and 3?
And if outsourcing is not the reason, that’s all the more reason for the union to be more transparent so busy-bodies like me don’t jump to the wrong conclusion!
I’m a big NTA fan, but I gotta say, I’m extremely disappointed with the decision not to share the results. If you’re a running to be an elected public official, it shouldn’t matter who sees the results of a policy questionnaire.
There’s been very little concrete policy and viewpoints discussed in the School Committee election run-up, and seeing the results of this would certainly help make a decision, particularly with the importance of not outsourcing custodians.
A big “thank you” to the candidates who are unafraid of transparency. Too bad the NTA does not agree.
Jane, you still have not answered my questions. It is OK to say “I am a member of the NTA. I support the NTA, but I disagree with this policy.” Can you say this? If not, I want to understand why anyone would support such a policy, especially someone who has thought carefully about better local elections.
If Mike Zilles wants to chime in, I would love to hear his defense of the policy.
@Jane Frantz – I would strongly suggest that in the future, the NTA should consider dropping the language in the agreement with the candidates that says that “their answers would be shared with the NTA members, not the general public”.
Rather than these questionanaires providing a valuable public service to the voters, that language treats the questionnaire as a private communication between the candidates and the union. That can only breed suspicion and misunderstanding and leaves the public out of valuable insights into each of the candidate’s positions, thoughts, and ideas.
Jeffrey – Please read the instructions sent to each candidate. I assume they read the instructions.
The only heat I’m feeling is the total lack of response to Mark Mardosian’s despicable comments about teachers from the three people who had to have read the post because they posted after it and before my response, yet totally ignored it. It meant nothing to them until their feet were held to the fire. As yet, only one of the three has given a sufficient response.
I will get in touch with Mark and we’ll have coffee. Maybe I’ll ask a few colleagues to join me. His apology on this blog was a first step but not the last, as my colleagues will certainly read it in the coming days.
Geeze, Jane: Mark’s comment was out of line and if that wasn’t clear when I said agreed with Councilor Hess-Mahan and Jerry, I’m saying so now. But the guy fully apologized and, yes, it’s time to move on, not organize your colleagues to toilet paper the Marderosian house this Halloween.
But I still don’t understand why you are still demanding that only one of our school committee candidates respond to Mark’s comments? Why didn’t you make that demand of all our candidates?
Here are my answers.
1. Tell us about your background and why you are running for School Committee.
As an Industrial Engineer with a MBA, I’m often the only female or person of color in my work environment. Because of my experiences, I understand the importance of inclusion and equity in our schools.
As a mother, I am vested in Newton schools as my son attended Brown and is now at North. I am passionate helping students reach their full potential.
2. How do you understand your role as a member of the School Committee? What does the School Committee contribute to running the Newton Public Schools?
According to the Education Reform Act of 1993, the School Committee is responsible for the following:
• To hire and evaluate the superintendent
• To deliberate and approve the budget
• To determine school district policies and review system-wide goals
• To negotiate teachers and custodian contracts
• To be a bridge between the school department and the community
In addition, the School Committee should also:
• Serve as a bridge between the school department and the community
• Support and review long range planning for school expansion, facility improvements and maintenance to ensure that we have adequate learning spaces within the schools
• Work closely with the city council and mayor to determine adequate school funding
• Support professional development plans for educators and administrators
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the goals of the Newton Public Schools, its academic programs, and the school administration
3. What do see as the strengths of the Newton Public Schools?
Newton school’s strengths includes:
• Maintain reasonable class room sizes
• Maintain program breath in special and general education
• Recruit and hire quality teachers
• Commit to social and emotional learning programs, racial/bias training, and equity for all students
• Have a data driven approach to customize and identify program needs
4. What are your concerns? What do you think needs to change?
The budget deficit is a concern. I would like to understand the long-term plan and steps the city plans to take to close budget gap.
The NPS has many great programs. An evaluation of program effectiveness is necessary to ensure our resources are well utilized. The system needs to prioritize the many system-wide goals to ensure adequate resources are accessible for new programs and initiatives. Because both Federal and State grants are dwindling we need to identify opportunities for revenue expansion.
5. Why are you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
The NPS will continue to face tough budget choices as cost increases and facilities need expansion and improvement. My skill set focuses on evaluating program effectiveness and being more efficient.
I ask questions to provoke thoughtful solutions so that we are aligned to the priorities to ensure we are successful.
6. What is your position on outsourcing the work of the Newton school custodians?
Outsourcing is a complex and sensitive subject. Outsourcing is normally implemented best when a competency or skill does not exist in-house and it is more cost effective to outsource than implementing this competency within the organization.
Outsourcing as means to reduce cost alone is not effective. There is a social cost such as harm to employees, community, schools and students.
Before outsourcing, there should be a review of the underlying administration and cost drivers. Then determine if there is a more efficient or economically viable solution such as cutting out waste and managing cost through attrition.
7. What is your position on health insurance coverage for NPS employees?
Health insurance coverage is an essential benefit to NPS employees and needs to be part of the collective bargaining process. Newton should continue to offer comprehensive health benefits to its employees.
8. What would you do to close the funding gap the Newton Public Schools anticipates in FY18?
There are four ways to address the budget gap:
• Review effectiveness of programs.
• Review funding needs with the city council and the mayor to determine how to reduce the funding gap.
• Explore public-private partnerships (including Newton School Alumni) to support certain educational programs.
• The city needs to explore the need for debt exclusion overrides to fund capital improvement projects necessary to improve the quality and capacity of the school facilities.
9. We are in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee. If you were on the Negotiations Team for the Newton School Committee, what would your priorities be in these negotiations?
My priority would be to work collaboratively, respectfully to find a contract that is appealing to NPS employees. The objective is to continue to recruit and retain the best educators, while being sure the city can sustain the costs long-term.
10. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
I feel it is important to give back to the community and I do this by volunteering with different organizations:
• Newton North PTSO
• Spelman Alumnae Mentor
• INROADS student career coach
• Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) criminal justice reform initiatives
My experience giving to the community will bring a fresh perspective to the school committee.
@Bridget: Thanks for sharing. I have one question. The NTA endorsement statement about you says:
But when I read what you’ve just posted, I’m not sure they are properly characterizing your position. Can you please clarify your view on outsourcing custodians?
… and yes, thanks to all of the candidates who voluntarily published their responses. I do hope the remaining candidates follow suit. You’d be doing both the voters and the NTA a service.
Jane, you are deflecting. This has nothing to do with Mark. It has nothing to do with instructions to the candidates. Fall is here and your camouflage is dying.
Do you support the NTA preventing voter access to candidate answers? This smells really bad to me. What does the NTA have to hide?
These are not “gotcha question.” These are not trick questions. As I said, you can support the NTA but disagree with the policy. I hope some NTA members, who care about their union’s image, advocate for change. If you agree with the policy, I would love to hear your reasoning.
@Jane Frantz – You’ve lost me now.
You quite rightfully posted a clear, articulate, and strong denunciation of a particular comment. Three people (Ted Hess-Mahan, Greg Reibman and I) all unequivocally and publicly agreed with you. The poster unambiguously apologized for making the comment.
At this point its beginning to seem like this is just a distraction, particularly since you haven’t answered Jeffrey Pontiff’s question, which after all is what this thread is about – the NTA’s endorsement.
Do you personally think the NTA’s policy of keeping these questionnaires private is a bad idea and should be reconsidered going forward? If not, why not.
As I side note, maybe this is a generational thing, but I didn’t really understand Mark’s comments. Was it the one about cupcakes? I really don’t get it (either as a comment, an insult, a joke, whatever).
I’m not saying that to be an jerk, and it may be my own lack of sleep, but is there some deeper meaning I’m missing? Is it just the insuation that teachers don’t have anything to worry about than cupcake choice?
To be 100% honest, all I saw when I first read the comment was the word cupcake, which made me remember that I hadn’t visited Bread and Chocolate in months, and then I stopped reading and went to get cupcakes (sadly not at B&C)
Lots of folks post silly things on this blog (has anyone read Harry’s comments?) so I tend to read past the ones that start out talking about food products and golden rings. Jane, I’m guessing others did as well. Or perhaps the comment was taking down?
People, the NTA endorses based upon who they think will win the election, not the answers they are getting. I went through this with them when I ran for Mayor. Their thinking is we dont want to support someone who will lose, even if that person would be better for the union or the city and worry about repercussions down the road from the winner. Very understandable. I was told just that when I ran against Cohen. Some of the unions were afraid of not endorsing him and he ends up winning, so they either endorsed him or sat out. It’s not surprising. Jane can disagree with that thought all she wants, but those are my observations over the years, take it for what it’s worth, so don’t expect the NTA to make the answers public, their irrelevant.
Also, the reason why we have outsourcing is because the school committee started to treat their position as if they are on a Board of directors. BOD only care about the bottom line and not the human element of their decisions.
the answers are irrelevant.
@fignewtonville – like you I skimmed past the cupcake comment as drivel when I first saw it. After Jane called attention to it I assumed that her objection was about trivializing teachers and/or candidates as glorified PTO parents.
In any case, Mark put it most aptly as “a lousy ‘joke’ with no point that clearly flopped”. I think we’re all agreed on that.
Thank you to all of the candidates who posted their answers to the NTA’s questionnaire. They are interesting and informative. From the responses I have no trouble understanding why the NTA endorsed Bridget and Matt – I’m also not surprised. They are excellent choices for the school committee.
In the future, hopefully the union will plan to make public their questions and the answers received.
I received an email from someone who challenged my questioning this endorsement process when the Chamber never disclosed its process when it endorsed the charter. Here’s my answer to that question:
Also, just to be clear, I’ve never challenged the NTA’s process, I’ve just been asking for an official explanation as to why there were no endorsement for the Wards 2 and 3 contests.
Here are my answers to the NTA.
Name: Margaret Albright
Ward: 2
1. Tell us about your background and why you are running for School Committee.
I’ve served on the School Committee since 2014. I was a school council member at Horace Mann, Day and North. My son is a 2016 graduate of North. My mother taught public school for over 40 years. My brother teaches high school history in a small district in New York and is vice president of his local union.
I have an MBA from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern and have more than 25 years of non-profit management experience. Professionally I am a development and marketing consultant for small non-profits including one that is a school transformation partner for 44 K-8 schools in 11 districts throughout the state – mostly in small districts with high poverty populations. I believe my background serves me well as a school committee member.
2. How do you understand your role as a member of the School Committee? What does the School Committee contribute to running the Newton Public Schools?
Our most important roles are to oversee the work of the superintendent, to set priorities for planning and budget, oversee the finances, carefully review financial reports and projections and set policy.
I’ve done quite a bit to ensure that the school committee operates well. I chaired the working group that revised all of the school committee’s policies and we now have a process for reviewing, adding and updating policy. The superintendent’s evaluation now uses DESE’s recommended rubric and requires the superintendent to set annual goals and provide supporting evidence throughout the year. The evaluation is posted on the website and is submitted to DESE as required. We utilize a multi-year system-wide goals framework which I believe needs to move to the next step of updating and extending our strategic plan.
3. What do see as the strengths of the Newton Public Schools?
Because we are a large, well-funded district we are able to do many things that smaller districts cannot including in-district special education programs, a broad array of high school classes, significant in-district professional development opportunities, the ability to spend time and resources focused on SEL and many other initiatives.
We have a dedicated and excellent faculty, high quality school leaders, and students, who, for the most part, have families who are able to provide an array of out-of-school activities and supports.
3. What are your concerns? What do you think needs to change?
My biggest concern is the budget. State and federal funding is decreasing as costs for everything increase. On top of that is a growing school population which brings a whole host of concerns about space needs and programmatic capacity.
I think we really need to step back and make a real strategic plan to address these issues in the long term instead of looking at the issues year-to-year. While we have a long-range plan for facilities, we need to look at planning for how we deal with the financial realities and programmatic needs. And that means a plan for how to weather the storms and still make progress.
4. Why are you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
I’ve served on the school committee for four years. I have been the liaison to the state delegation. I chaired the working group that revised and updated all school committee policies. I attend regular training offered by Mass Association of School Committees. I work in for clients who are actively involved in supporting school district growth and improvement. I have an MBA and understand the challenges of managing a $219 million budget.
5. What is your position on outsourcing the work of the Newton school custodians?
I am a sitting school committee member and we are currently engaged in negotiations. I am not able to comment on ongoing negotiations.
6. What is your position on health insurance coverage for NPS employees?
Part of my professional work is with community health centers so I have some understanding of the turmoil and unease in the insurance markets. Without action from Congress on shoring up the ACA, reauthorizing SCHIP and reauthorizing community health centers there is going to be a sharp rise in insurance premiums for everyone. We are facing a time of enormous uncertainty and upheaval.
7. What would you do to close the funding gap the Newton Public Schools anticipates in FY18?
The School Committee has limited ability to raise revenue and no authority to tax. 87% of our costs are in salary and benefits. I would be naïve to believe we are not going to have to adjust our staffing levels.
8. We are in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee. If you were on the Negotiations Team for the Newton School Committee, what would your priorities be in these negotiations?
The fundamental priorities for all negotiations are to engage in good faith bargaining and to reach agreements that are fair and sustainable.
10. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
Fig-Mark made a very demeaning comment about teachers. No one spoke up about it. I expressed my sense of displeasure at the comment and lack of response. Mark apologized. I said great. I will be in touch with Mark and request that we have a civil and respectful conversation, one on one. End of story.
Give it up Jane, Mark apologized. We get it. The faux outrage and indignance is tedious. Do we really need to start revisiting, reminding and informing Newton school parents new to the city and new to this blog about
all of the greatest hits of bad choices the NTA has made over the years? I’m more than happy to comb through my files and take everyone on a trip down memory lane if you insist.
Stop deflecting and stalling. Insist that the NTA information be made available to everyone pronto.
No problem, Greg. To clarify about “outsourcing”. Outsourcing does not always provide the benefits expected when only evaluating cost savings . There are other factors and risk to consider. An example is the Chelmsford schools tried outsourcing and are returning to the model of custodians working for the school district. I can talk to you about an example I have experience with. There are cases were outsourcing makes sense when competency is lacking inside an organization and the cost to obtain, train or maintain outweighs the benefit. Did I answer your question?
Thanks Bridget. It appears that your position is more nuanced than the NTA’s summary suggests (“She makes clear that outsourcing is not an effective strategy for financial savings…”) so, yes, you answered my question.
Hi folks, here are my responses to the NTA’s questionnaire. Thanks.
Anping Shen
(candidate for School Committee, Ward 3)
1. Tell us about your background and why you are running for School Committee.
I have been a life-long teacher and educator. I was a high school and college history and English instructor before I came to BU and received my Master’s and doctoral degrees in Education. For the past twenty years I have worked as an educational specialist for the state department of education. I served as a school council member for Lincoln-Eliot, Horace Mann (also as council chair), and Newton North High (2016-2017). I also served on the Newton Superintendent Search Committee (with its selection of Jeffery Young), Newton Public Schools Strategic Planning team, and Human Rights Commission.
For over twenty years, I have been involved in the Newton Chinese Language School (running at F. Day School on Sundays) as its PTO president, principal, founding board chair, and a parenting teacher. I have authored a dozen educational articles on education and parents for both the English and Chinese media and my forthcoming book on parenting will be published later this year in China.
I have decided to run for school committee as a dedicated parent, passionate educator, and committed community education activist and leader.
2. How do you understand your role as a member of the School Committee? What does the School Committee contribute to running the Newton Public Schools?
As elected municipal education officials, School Committee members should, first and foremost, represent the community’s interest with regards to the policies related to the Newton public schools. By all accounts, Newton residents support high quality education and therefore SC members should be cheerleaders and safeguards of high quality education for the Newton community.
3. What do you see as the strengths of the Newton Public Schools?
I think the Newton public schools’ strength is reflected in its strong mission to sustain its educational excellence and equity, with emphasis on a whole-child/student development model.
4. What are your concerns? What do you think needs to change?
I do not have any particular (significant) concerns about Newton public schools, except its challenging budget prospects. Based on all the input and evidence I have collected in my professional, parental and community involvement, Newton public schools have been doing an excellent job. If there are any particular aspects I would like to see some improvement in, they are: reducing the number of students per teacher in crowded elementary classrooms, strengthening the middle school curriculum, and enhancing teacher quality at the high school level.
5. Why are you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
I think my professional training and expertise, my community civic engagement and educational leadership, and my passion for community service and educational excellence all make me qualified to serve.
6. What is your position on outsourcing the work of the Newton school custodians?
School custodians are an important part of the Newton school community and they play a critical role in ensuring a healthy, safe and supportive environment for the students’ learning and campus activities. Many custodians have a deep attachment to the Newton schools and students. With that perspective in mind, I will (if elected) seriously review all the data and factors (including the human resources, emotional as well as financial, consequences) if the SC needs to decide on the possibility of outsourcing the NPS custodian work due to extreme necessity of saving the school budget.
7. What is your position on health insurance coverage for NPS employees?
As a carrier of health insurance for my family, I understand health insurance coverage is a critical component of the NPS employees’ overall benefits. In the same spirit of supporting teachers, I will exercise compassion and thoughtfulness in deciding my vote when NSC needs to take a position on this issue.
8. What would you do to close the funding gap the Newton Public Schools anticipates in FY18?
Newton has long been proud of its high quality school education. The Newton community, as far as I have witnessed, is mostly supportive of the necessary budget to close the funding gap for FY18. However, as elected municipal officials for the school system, I will listen to voters’ concerns regarding the school budget and funding issues and competing priorities. If there should be any community wide efforts for more funding to close the funding gap, I am determined to work for and support it.
9. We are in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee. If you were on the Negotiations Team for the Newton School Committee, what would your priorities be in these negotiations?
As a former teacher and my current workplace’s union board member (our DESE professional staff union is affiliated with SEIU local 509), I can truly appreciate the contract negotiation between the NPS and NSC. If elected and assigned to the Negotiation team for the SC, I will try to understand the contentious issues in the contract, starting with the premise that excellent school education is primarily
built on and sustained by the excellent schoolteachers and staff. So keeping and maintaining the high quality teaching force would be my priority in these negotiations.
10. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
I am a firm believer that sustaining educational excellence is best achieved by committed teamwork grounded in collaboration among school, families and communities. Combined with my faith in educational excellence, this belief has been the foundation of my children’s outstanding learning and growth, my community involvement and my educational leadership on various levels and in various positions. I think my educational philosophy and these qualities will help me to play a positive role as a Newton School Committee member.
I recently met Anping Shen and was impressed by his passion for the public schools. I was already strongly considering voting for him based off everything I read on his website, but meeting him in person sealed the deal. His experience and enthusiasm for NPS will make him an excellent addition on the SC.