Saeh for Schools
I am running because we need fresh perspectives and skill sets on the Belmont School Committee. As a parent of 2 BHS students, as a scientist and leader in the health industry, I have a unique perspective to guide us through the challenges facing our world-class school system. The decisions that we need to make are crucial and will shape education in Belmont, and the experience of our children, educators, and families, for years to come.
I will serve Belmont by using my private-sector management skills to ensure data-driven decision making, and by using my proven ability to communicate with town-wide stakeholders who have different outlooks but a shared common goal: preserving our excellent schools.
The challenges facing our students and our schools right now are unprecedented, and multifaceted. We must be smarter and more effective in how we meet them. The impact of the pandemic on families, the economy and the schools is felt by all of us in different ways: physically, emotionally, & economically. These COVID challenges are compounded by a structural deficit and looming fiscal cliff that the town of Belmont faces.
The School Committee is responsible and accountable for ensuring that ALL students receive the best education possible.
Unfortunately, too many community members have told me that they feel unheard by the present Committee as one school opening plan after another has failed or is delayed. More families have made the difficult decision to leave public schools as they saw the deterioration of services and academic rigor. This has affected public trust at a time when we all need to listen to one another and work for the good of our children and school.
In my professional life, I bring a “can-do” mindset focused on creative win:win solutions. I will help lead Belmont through our many challenges while greatly improving the transparency of School Committee actions and ensuring more inclusiveness in its decision making.
Together, we can tackle the challenges of adequate school funding, bringing kids back to school, preparing to move high schoolers and middle schoolers to the new building, fulfilling our shared vision for a 21st century education, and lifting the experience of the Belmont School community who have been battered by a year of remote learning and constantly changing timelines for in-person instruction.
Together, we can make thoughtful and equitable decisions that preserve the high academic standards we've come to expect from the Belmont Public Schools and keep BPS in its deserved place as Belmont’s “jewel in the crown”.
I care deeply about our public education and the town community. I believe in working to unify the town’s residents in supporting an excellent, equitable, and well-managed school system. I will work tirelessly to make a difference on the Belmont School Committee using my experience in the private sector to analyze our challenges, involve everyone in developing solutions, and manage the risks of operating a world-class school system.
I ask for your vote on TUESDAY, APRIL 6.
UPDATE: I was sworn in on Wed. April 7th and jumped right into the thick of it.
I found the oath very powerful and centering. I am touched to have received the vote of 4000(!) Belmontonians and pledge to represent what’s best for ALL Belmontonians and especially Belmont’s school children.
I am incredibly proud of the campaign you helped us run: For all the volunteers who held signs, collected signatures, texted or phoned a friend, to all those who helped spread awareness by going door to door (during a pandemic no less), posted on social media, or donated both time and money, Thank You!
