This arrived today from the newly formed Chris Brezski campaign.
I am excited to be running for the open Ward 2 Newton School Committee seat in November. I believe the Newton Public Schools are Newton’s greatest asset, and as an NPS elementary parent I want to safeguard the district’s future as a leader in education.
I have always been passionate about public education, from volunteer teaching economics at two New York City high schools, to advocating for an increase in safe in-person education in Newton this past year. My commitment to creating opportunities for children through education, and my professional career as an institutional investment manager, have provided me the experience and judgment needed on our School Committee. The impact of this pandemic will be felt long after students have returned to their classrooms, and we will need strong leadership from our School Committee to create an environment where our schools can address the impact of the pandemic disruptions and ensure that NPS thrives in the future.
I’ve spent more than 20 years in leadership roles requiring analysis-driven decision-making, creativity, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. I have built businesses and managed through crises. I collaborate with others toward common goals despite sometimes having divergent or competing interests. I believe that a sound decision-making process is necessary to have the confidence to transparently own those decisions. These skills will enable me to make an immediate and meaningful impact on the School Committee.
As we navigate the remainder of this academic year and begin preparations for 2021-2022, there is much hard work to be done to provide our children the safe in-person education they deserve. I will continue to work with parents, city leaders, educators, and community members trying to make increased safe in-person learning a reality for NPS students.
Beyond a full September reopening, NPS will face other challenges: to make our budget sustainable, to support a robust curriculum, to deliver instruction and targeted support within reasonable class sizes. We have technology and facilities needs. We will have to address our kids’ social and emotional growth on the heels of the pandemic, and further address inequities that have been exacerbated by remote and hybrid learning models. All of this will require critical thinking, creativity and transparency.
I have been meeting with many Newton families and city leaders to hear their thoughts and ideas, and I am deeply appreciative to all those who have already supported, endorsed and contributed to my campaign. I encourage you to visit my website www.chrisbrezski.com, or contact me as I look forward to speaking with each of you in the months to come so that I can hear your thoughts and priorities
Chris
I’m pleased that Chris has chosen to run, given his background, professional accomplishments, and dedication to the schools.
I’d give Chris’ family campaign photo an 7.1/10.
Overall, it’s very solid. His smiling family seems normal and supportive. It appears to be cold outside, but the family is all smiles, hinting at their toughness and ability to ride out crises. Also, his North Face and crisp blue jeans suggest that Chris is professional, but also in touch with the blue collar folks of Newton.
He also has a very cute dog, but it appears that his spouse is restraining the hound so it stays in frame. Perhaps this reveals an untrained puppy? What does that say about Chris’ ability as a leader and organizer?
It also looks like the dog is part Poodle and/or Bernise Mountain Dog, suggesting that they were obtained from a fancy breeder. Perhaps Chris isn’t as down to earth as his jeans suggest, considering he passed up the opportunity to adopt his pet?
All in all though, it’s a very good photo.
I’m very excited that Chris is running for SC. His proven dedication and leadership will ensure Newton remains one of the best school systems in the state. I look forward to voting for him in November.
I’m thrilled that Chris has entered the race for SC. He is passionate about public education and will use leadership skills and critical thinking to support the children, educators, and city of Newton.
This is great news. Chris is impressive. He is hard-working and has a problem solving mentality. Newton needs him.
@Bluefootedbooby: Good point about the dog (made in humor, I suppose), but note that some breeder dogs are adopted from prior owners.
@Bluefootedboody –
I will gladly take a 7.1/10.0. You are too generous. One of the more amusing comments I have seen on V14 in some time.
I can assure you I’m not much of a fashion guy; the jeans, flannel & vest are standard fare 7 days / week in winter. While I’m not much of a politician, I think my transparent analysis-driven approach can be a positive force within the SC.
As for Sammy (the family dog), I recall her being amazingly well-behaved getting this photo, but you are generally correct – anyone who has met Sammy would rightly question my ability to lead canines. And, yes, she is a bernedoodle – I am a dog lover but have allergies so have to go hypoallergenic.
I appreciate the “All in all though, it’s a very good photo” conclusion. I think that’s about the best I can hope for. Please reach out to me anytime to discuss NPS.
Very excited that Chris has entered this race. I think he will do an amazing job as a School Committee Member. He has been very involved in trying to get the kids back in school safely. I’ve been impressed with his ideas and the fact that he is willing to take action in a collaborative way. I think the School Committee needs someone who will be transparent and will use data driven analysis to make decisions. I think one of the biggest mistakes made this year by NPS and the School Committee was not analyzing their plans from the perspective of what the roadblocks are and how do we address those. This would have led them to taken into account the concerns of the stakeholders. They were instead behind the 8 ball from the get go. An unimplementable plan is not a plan.
I haven’t missed a school committee meeting this school year, but I have missed hearing district leadership articulate any understanding or urgency about the unique challenges elementary-aged children have faced for the past 14 months. I’m grateful for Chris’s efforts to increase in-person learning this year. He has shown the dedication, creativity, and persistence our present School Committee lacks, and he has played a pivotal role mobilizing our local medical/scientific community to advocate for a safe reopening guided by science and logic.
Chris is a doer, not a talker. His campaign statement at the top here undersells his efforts on behalf of our kids and teachers. He spearheaded the formation of the medical advisory committee to assist NPS with best practices for safe re-opening, and he initiated the civil petition to compel action on it. He has deep knowledge of NPS facilities, history, and people. During a year when so many stakeholders in the NPS system felt stuck, he has created positive movement. I look forward to the rest of the City getting to know him better the coming months.
This is great news for all NPS families and the city as a whole. Chris has given 150% effort to his advocacy to safely increase in person learning for Newton youth this year. He has a calm and rational demeanor, an ability to build consensus, and the tenacity to break through logjams that have challenged others. I hope the Newton voters are able to see the benefits his presence on the School Committee would provide.
Where’s the *like* button?
This is the kind of leadership parents have been craving for the past year. Not only that but Chris has elementary age children, so he understands what parents need. He will also be in this for the long haul. I am very excited for this announcement! Thank you, Chris!!!
Such a refreshing campaign message and such an impressive candidate. If we all work together we can get our kids back to school.
Chris-
As your quantitative literacy seems to promise a significantly addition to the School Committee’s capabilities, perhaps today’s release of Version 4.0 of comprehensive school performance comparison data from the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University would help all candidates discuss with voters what makes for an informed and educated choice.
What should voters want from the school system they already have and what should the School Committee be doing to get “there”?
You know … “facts” … as a basis for public policy and choices of government. Instead of a “no mean campaigns” pledge, voters might appreciate a pledge of “no only facts-lite campaigning” …
Chris-
As your quantitative literacy seems to promise a significantly addition to the School Committee’s capabilities, perhaps today’s release of Version 4.0 of comprehensive school performance comparison data from the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University would help all candidates discuss with voters what makes for an informed and educated choice.
What should voters want from the school system they already have and what should the School Committee be doing to get “there”?
You know … “facts” … as a basis for public policy and choices of government. Instead of a “no mean campaigns” pledge, voters might appreciate a pledge of “no facts-lite campaigning” …
Mary – thank you for mentioning the Stanford project. I didn’t even know it existed. So fascinating – you could spend hours digging through the data. My quick read is that Newton is a strong district by national standards, though with slipping performance. We also lag a number of neighboring districts. Of course, who knows what the extended school closures will do to test scores – the data end at 2018.
Certainly worth a focus on by candidates for SC (and by the SC itself). And perhaps an entirely different thread on v14.
The link for those interested: https://edopportunity.org/
PS – super happy to see Chris running. I hope more candidates with his background run for SC in other wards as well.