Like most of us,  I moved to Belmont to provide my daughter the best I could. I want her to thrive in school, be safe walking on our streets, and have her grow up with a strong sense of community. I believe we all share these values. We want leaders that will bring us together to overcome our challenges, not to divide us. We need to prepare our children for the future keeping in mind our shared values of community, education, family, and most importantly inclusion. 

I am running for school committee because our most vulnerable students have been overlooked for years. Although I am running as an individual, I will lead as a member of a team and work hard to gain the communities trust while providing a fresh perspective and a new voice to the problems Belmont faces. 

I will work tirelessly, thoughtfully and collaboratively to represent our entire educational community. I will listen to your concerns, provide transparency, and most importantly, take action.

We need diverse leadership experiences on the School Committee to make sure our students and schools thrive. I differentiate myself as a military veteran, a small business owner, and most importantly, an outspoken advocate for providing necessary resources to support our special needs students. If elected, our students with the most needs will finally have a voice at the table. I will make lines of communication with all parents my priority. My experiences are built on teamwork and are the foundation for the good decision making we need on the School Committee for all Belmont students and families.

  Since last March the pandemic impacted teaching & learning in Belmont and we have worked through a Joint-Labor Management process to re-open schools. And have failed in this process for families. The decision of elected town leaders will continue to negatively impact 2020/21 and sadly, the 2021/21 school year. 

I am reminded of what my dad used to say, “Plan the work, work the plan.”

I support every effort to safely return to in-person learning NOW, with the proper investments in both equipment and technology to keep students, families, and teachers safe. 

The current school committee argues they have been planning for the reopening for months now and yet our kids are still not learning in person. We need to finalize this plan incorporating  Belmont specific guidelines for each school which need to be clear, consistent, and transparent. These safety measures, like personal protective equipment, must be based upon CDC and health professionals’ recommendations, including current social distancing guidelines of 3ft and mandatory mask wearing which is proven to work. When fully reopen, we can work the plan to prevent and, if necessary, respond to future COVID-19 cases in school buildings utilizing contract tracing. 

Lastly, we also need ensure equal access to one-to-one technology (including equipment, broadband, and technology platforms) for students and staff to ensure learning is continuous, whether schools are fully open in a new normal or must close to keep our community safe and healthy.

 Those who govern and administer the Belmont public schools must share a vision, a clear purpose, and the ability and courage to lead. Communication is the centerpiece of effective school committee-superintendent relationships and is the  foundation that will nurture a climate conducive to growth. When roles are clear and relationships are  sound, communities feel a sense of confidence in their school leadership which in turn enhances the  education of all students in the community. 

Further, a strong collaborative relationship from school committee and the community must be a driving force in  dealing with the direct and indirect challenges facing the community and our schools.  A school committee must be responsive in governance, sensitive to the diverse  needs of all learners, an advocate for students and learning and, as  such, a vigorous ambassador for  equitable public education. 

Procedures, determined for the Belmont school system, should be reviewed annually to assure compliance  with current policy. Productive relationships between school committees, superintendents and the community will flourish if  two-way communication is established and maintained. Such teamwork will work to enhance and improve Belmont Schools, enriching the lives of all students. 

 “Money alone does not guarantee success any more than a lack of it guarantees failure, often, the difference is how you spent the extra money.” Paul Reville

I support a NO Vote. Amidst a pandemic is not the right time to put this question on the ballot and I am surprised that our town manager and selectman would move forward with this now.  Belmont is not thriving financially. Mismanagement has led us effectively to millions in deficit where the apparent plan is to raise taxes every every 3 years, if you use the average override seen on ballots for the last twenty years. I support a no vote to force our leaders to understand that how we spend matters even more than how much we Spend. 

I do feel compelled to acknowledge that the fault does not specifically lie with our current leaders. They were elected after mis-spending 30 years in the making. Unfortunately, these same leaders came in with campaigns discussing structural change and needing to curb spending but fell short on these promises.  

We need a new way of thinking in our town leadership. We need leaders that are not afraid to make decisions that will benefit the towns long term sustainability even if it means you won't get re-elected. 

Haven't you ever wondered why Belmont runs override requests in “off year” special election cycles? They choose to run them when voter turnout is typically low. The Board anticipates that most voters will not exercise their civic duty which allows for easier passage of the override.  

Whether you vote for or against the override, voting itself, is what matters. Remind your neighbors and friends to vote!

• 2018 debt exclusion      Passed
• 2014 debt exclusion      Passed
• 2009 debt exclusion      Passed
• 2005 debt exclusion      Passed
• 2004 debt exclusion      Passed
• 2002 debt exclusion      Passed
• 2001 debt exclusion      Passed
• 1994 debt exclusion      Passed
• 1994 debt exclusion      Failed
• 1993 debt exclusion      Failed
• 1993 debt exclusion      Failed
• 1987 debt exclusion      Passed

• 2021 override     TBD
• 2015 override     Passed
  •   $4,500,000 
    •  supplementing the capital budget and the town and  school operating budgets
• 2010 override     Failed
  •  $2,000,000 
    •  $1,000,000 for operating expenditures of the  Belmont Public Schools, $600,000 for capital expenditures and  $400,000 for operating expenditures 
• 2008 override     Failed
  •  $2,500,000 
    •  funding a stabilization fund for road, street and  sidewalk capital projects and maintenance 
• 2006 override     Failed
  •  $3,000,000 
    •  funding the stabilization fund for road, street and  sidewalk capital projects and maintenance 
• 2002 override     Passed
  •  $2,400,000 
    •   municipal and school operating expenses 
• 2001 Override    Passed
  •  $3,000,000.00 
    •  municipal and school operating expenses, including  the funding of a road improvement program 
• 1993 Override    Failed
  •  $1,116,111 
    •  municipal and  school programs and services 
• 1990 Override    Passed 
  •  $2,094,946 
    •  solid waste collection and disposal