To the editor:
I am writing in support of Kate Schmeckpeper’s candidacy for School Committee. Kate’s dedication to bringing good governance, open communication and consensus-building to the school committee is admirable and desperately needed after the last few tumultuous years.
As a former member of the Board of Selectmen in my hometown, I fully understand the importance of the process and procedures necessary to create good policies and believe Kate understands that as well. An integral part to any process is collaboration between board or committee members as well as community members. In the case of the school committee, collaboration and open communication need to flow both ways between the school committee and the school community: school administration, teachers and staff, and students and families.
As a mom of two Marblehead public school students, I worry that some of the current school committee members either don’t believe in the need for collaboration or have become complacent overreaching their authority. One such example is the discussion around adding a second recess. I strongly believe that our elementary school students would benefit academically and behaviorally if they are provided with two recesses. As much as I want that to happen, the school committee shouldn’t unilaterally institute any changes in the schools without the input of administrators, teachers and families. As Kate said on the topic, more recess is a good goal, but it needs to be done the right way: with educators at the table and the public in the loop.
I believe that Kate would help build back the community’s trust in the school committee, something that is severely lacking at the moment. Her approach will help avoid the current overreach we are seeing with the school committee creating policies that don’t reflect the desires and goals of the Marblehead Public Schools community. I hope voters in Marblehead will join me in voting for Kate Schmeckpeper for School Committee.
Lainey Titus Samant
Rock Cliff Road
