My Commitment to Framingham
I have two firm beliefs: a good education is the best gift we can give our children and it is important to leave the world a better place than you found it. I feel blessed for the past few years on the school committee, I have been able to do both.
I started preparing to take on this role years ago. I served as President of Stapleton's PTO where I started the Morning Care Program when the bus route was cut back to a two mile radius. I then took a seat as a town meeting member, during which I served on the Sub-Committee for Education. I felt it was critical to know the Framingham governmental system before tackling such an important role as school committee member.
My first year on the committee, I sat on the Policy Sub-Committee. Since then I have served as the Convener for two years, making sure our district is keeping up with ever changing laws and regulations we have to abide by. The most satisfying part about this position has been to work with both members of the school committee and administration. We set policies that protect not only the rights of students, families and employees, but also the rights of the underrepresented and most vulnerable.
I have written two resolutions every year. Resolutions are voted on by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and are moved forward by our state legislators. With the support of our State Senator and Representatives, they become bills. Eventually these go before the Joint Committee for Education, and hopefully, laws are changed. As this election takes place I have three bills, two sitting before the Joint Committee and one with our Legislators. They have to do with our homeless, free/reduced lunch and special needs students. They are carefully balanced to provide more stability for our students and take the burden off our budget which results from unfunded State mandates which hurt Framingham.
Additionally, I serve on the Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee. We have re-submitted our application with the MSBA, and are now qualified for funding we had been denied. I’m a graduate of Framingham South High and know that the building (currently Fuller Middle School) has been failing for30+ years. Our students and staff deserve better. It’s a bittersweet thought this building will somehow be changing, but it’s the feeling of, “Once a Flyer always a Flyer” that keeps me going.
My son in the school system, my lifetime in Framingham, and my service to the town balancing the welfare of students and the interests of the taxpayers are the passions that drive me. None of this is possible without the support of my wonderful husband and son who makes me proud every day. They have given their support, I hope I can count on yours as well.
​
