Why do you want to serve on the School Committee?
I want to be a voice for all families and help create a shared vision for Watertown Public Schools. I strongly believe in Watertown Public Schools’ values of equity, excellence and community. I believe an engaged community heightens the level of equity for our students. I believe an engaged community helps our students excel.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a School Committee member.
I’m a lifelong resident and graduated of Watertown Public Schools. I have 2 boys who attend the Hosmer. A few of the reasons I feel qualified to be a School Committee member are my community engagement and professional experiences. I am involved in our community. I serve on the board of directors for: Watertown Boys and Girls Club, Watertown Youth Hockey and Hosmer PTO. I’m a former member of the Watertown Stormwater Advisory Committee.
I have over 15 years of operational leadership experience. I navigate across departments to reach company goals. I manage a budget to achieve our target. I engage our employees to foster a culture of belonging and inclusion and serve as a member of our company’s Ethics Champions’. I never compromise safety! I want our employees to go home the same way they came in.
I believe my experiences would add a complementary lens to the School Committee and promote communication, collaboration and compromise which could yield positive results for Watertown Public Schools, our students and our caregivers.
How can the district make sure that all students and their families feel welcome, and are getting the most from their experience in the Watertown Public Schools?
The district has started this process. Two things I think are working well: the creation of a family/caregiver/student engagement role. This person is a liaison between the school and family and has created a sense of welcoming and belonging. The 2nd initiative is the buddy program. This program is in place at the Hosmer. It buddies up students in higher grades with students in lower grades, for example 4th grader and 1st grader. This fosters leadership qualities, networking and creates a feeling of inclusion. I would like to expand the project to the 5th grade level among all Watertown schools. This would assist in developing a new network of connections that would help set them up for a successful start to middle school.
Watertown has an opportunity to completely renovate or rebuild Watertown Middle School and use the temporary school currently at Moxley Field. How would you like Watertown to proceed with this project?
As a parent I would love to see a new Middle School. As a resident I would question if we can afford it. Any safety issues are non negotiable and need to be addressed. The City Council is weighing the options and I would encourage residents to speak up as to what their thoughts are.
The district is considering a policy banning use of cellphones and other personal electronic devices from the beginning of school to the final bell. Would you support this policy, and why?
I would support a ban of cellphones and personal electronic devices. I feel they impede the learning process at school. I would like to evaluate the process of how WPS would implement an effective policy.
The budget has been tight in recent years, but if the district had an opportunity to add programs, which one would you choose first?
If the district had funds to allocate, I would advocate for free or reduced cost extended day. I would explore other options for extended day such as partnering with other schools and or the private sector.
During your campaign, what was the biggest issue or concern for voters when you spoke to them about the Watertown Schools?
Many of the people I have interacted with who have children in the school system have indicated their concern with lack of extended day options. Residents who do not have children in the school system have voiced their thoughts regarding what to do with the Middle School. I have valued the opportunity to listen to the needs, concerns, suggestions and thoughts of our community.