What Matters

Maintaining Academic Excellence

The Town of Lexington is known for its educational excellence, something I want to preserve. Maintaining that level of excellence will require collaborating with students, teachers, parents, and school administrators to develop and implement sustainable approaches to education that are equitable for all.

An excellent education is:

• Academic courses of study that challenge students to think critically and creatively, and to systematically problem-solve.
• Reliable and effective mental health supports and stress management tools.
• An inclusive environment and curriculum that prepares our graduates for a global society.

An equitable and inclusive education serves as a pillar of success and helps to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.

Mental Health and Social Development

The educational rigors that make our school system exceptional adds stress on our students. The pandemic uniquely impacted adolescents: social isolation, uncertainty, and fear are all contributors. Stress is part of life, and we have an opportunity to support our students in learning emotional literacy and coping skills, particularly during the pandemic. The LPS School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), of which I am Co-Chair, directly addresses this issue by listening to students and creating programs and supports that meet their needs. Students perform better in the classroom when they have support for their mental health needs and social development.

As a School Committee Member, I will continue to advocate for policies that provide students with tools and valuable lifelong skills for managing stress, peer pressure, and competing priorities.

Special Education and Support Services

Post pandemic, the necessity for special education supports have increased in cases and severity. As the district identifies and evaluates the needs, there is a need for a more comprehensive, holistic approach to special education and support services. There is no question that the pandemic has disproportionately negatively impacted our most vulnerable students. For this reason, I will continue to champion developing and revising policies that are beneficial to our Special Education students and to students who need a range of support services, helping them reach their full potential. Listening to parents and educators, thinking unconventionally and strategically are essential when evaluating programs and services. We have a responsibility to take care of all students.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives at LPS have my full support, and I recognize that we still have a long way to go. The LPS discipline disparity statistics, and MCAS results at all grade levels support that more very intentional work is necessary.

As a School Committee Member, I will continue to advocate for equitable and inclusive curricula, which are essential to enhancing the academic excellence of our entire school system. Our students deserve to see themselves and others reflected in the curriculum so that all identities are affirmed and celebrated. Moreover, evaluating and improving our courses of study using the lenses of DEI will add a key ingredient to an LPS education, preparing LPS graduates for success in a multicultural and multiracial global society.

Lexington High School

LHS was built in the 1950s and although renovated several times, it is failing in multiple ways to meet the needs of today’s students, faculty, and staff. Originally designed for 1800 students, the building is now used to educate 2275 students. Common areas, along with many classrooms and other facilities are outdated and overcrowded. We need a high school building designed for a carbon-neutral future. We need a building with adequate common areas for the projected student population, up-to-date science labs, top-notch classroom and support facilities, proper HVAC and weather protection, and space for performing and visual arts.

We must be fiscally responsible, and I recognize that the costs involved are significant. As a project manager in the fields of finance and technology, my area of expertise is looking at short and long-term goals and the resource management needed to reach those goals. I also look forward to playing a part in ensuring that community voices are heard and included in the process.