School committee candidate pledges to be an advocate for families and teachers

A public commenter seeking a seat on the school committee urged voters to back her in the April 7 election, saying she would prioritize connecting families with services and supporting teachers.

The speaker, who said she has been in her current job for 20 years, described herself as committed to the town and to learning the work required of the committee. "When I make a commitment, I stick with it," she said, adding that with her children older she can devote more time to public service.

She framed her candidacy around accessibility and advocacy for parents. "If I am elected to the school committee that I will be an ear. My phone line will always be open," the public commenter said, promising to help parents find services and "learn their rights." She named dyslexic and autistic children as examples of students she would help parents navigate services for.

On schools and staff, the speaker said teachers are being asked to do more with less. "The teachers themselves are struggling. They're expected to do so much more with so much less," she said, and called for bridging teachers, parents and town leadership to supply needed supports.

She asked for votes on April 7 and framed the contest as a choice between maintaining the status quo and electing someone who aims to bring change and cooperation. The speaker urged the town to "stop fighting," repeatedly stressing her willingness to listen, learn and work across lines to advance students' success.

No formal motion or vote was recorded in the transcript. The speaker's remarks were a public appeal and did not include proposals for specific committee actions or budgetary figures.