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Suzanne Federspiel highlights classroom focus, racial justice and community engagement in her re-election bid
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Summary
In a local interview, Suzanne Federspiel — a school committee member since 2017 and former educator and elementary principal — described priorities including smaller class sizes, teacher development, social‑emotional supports, racial justice work and restoring communications and data positions cut in the last budget.
Suzanne Federspiel, a member of the Brookline School Committee since 2017 and a candidate for re‑election, described her experience and priorities in an interview on Brookline Interactive Group.
Federspiel said her professional background includes work as a speech‑language pathologist, special education teacher, literacy coach and a principal at an elementary school in Boston. "Public school teaching and education is my passion," she said, adding that she brings institutional history and mentoring experience as the committee's longest‑serving current member.
Classrooms and teachers are the focus of her agenda. She stressed the importance of reduced class sizes (noting district guidelines of about 20–22 in lower grades), teacher development and autonomy, and curricular offerings such as performing arts and debate. "What goes on in the classrooms is most, most important," she said.
Federspiel prioritized social‑emotional learning and belonging as keys to student success, crediting lead psychologist Matt Duvois for work that contributed to improved graduation rates and stronger school culture.
On racial justice, Federspiel said the district's loss of a department of equity was a setback and argued that the committee must budget both time and resources so equity work continues at central office and school levels. She recommended classroom‑level observations and targeted tier‑1 interventions — not expanded testing — to identify and support students who need help.
Federspiel also raised community engagement as an area needing attention after budget cuts eliminated two central positions: communications and data analysis. She said administrative assistant Betsy Fitzpatrick has begun sending meeting summaries to improve transparency and that the committee continues outreach through PTOs and school events.
On sustainability, she noted that recent capital projects (the new Pierce School and Driscoll School) are fossil‑fuel free and that the Brookline High School expansion incorporates green design elements; she highlighted school gardens, composting and plant‑based meal efforts supported by community groups such as Mothers Out Front.
Federspiel said her campaign is "going well," with forums and canvassing planned and a launch event scheduled; she invited interested residents to visit suzanne4schoolcommittee.org for information and volunteer opportunities.
