Braintree Election 2021: Kathleen Tuffy For School Committee

BRAINTREE, MA — The Braintree town election is less than two weeks away, and soon voters will hit the polls and elect new members to the Town Council and school committee.

Town Council contested races are in districts 1, 2 and 3., while the school committee will see seven candidates compete for three open seats.

Prior to the election, Patch is running candidate profiles to help inform residents on where candidates stand on the issue. Here's a bit more about Kathleen Tuffy, a candidate for the Braintree School Committee, in the Nov. 2 town election.

Kathleen Tuffy

Age (as of Election Day)

72

Position Sought

School Committee

Family

My husband, Jim, and I have lived in East Braintree for forty years. Our three children all attended Braintree Public Schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

M.Ed., Lesley University, Literacy; ALM, Mathematics for Teaching, Harvard University Extension.

Occupation

Retired Braintree teacher, 30+ years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/kathy...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Local officials have a direct impact on our daily lives, and the importance of good governance has been made very clear over the past twenty months. I believe that my experience as a Braintree teacher and parent will be an asset when making decisions as a School Committee member.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Schools must be a safe environment for learning and teaching. We can identify and remediate disparities caused by remote learning or missed school, but students can't be rushed. We need to prioritize physical health and mental health as well as learning.

Currently, the Massachusetts legislature is deciding how to allocate $5.3 billion in American Rescue Plan funds. One billion dollars is expected to go to the schools, with each district using 20% of their share to target learning loss. Legislators need to hear from their constituents about how to spend the rest. Will it go toward more high stakes testing, or will it be used to improve school infrastructure? I will advocate for increased funding for the Massachusetts School Building Authority and direct aid to repair or replace dysfunctional buildings. Students deserve to attend school in healthy buildings.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe my many years of experience as an educator differentiate me from the other candidates. I know the state guidelines, I have worked extensively on curriculum development, and served as a reviewer for a middle school math textbook. As part of my Master's thesis, I led a study on web-based assessment at the middle school level. I have taught or volunteered in almost every school in Braintree, and I know how maintenance issues can interfere with learning.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Maintaining full in-person learning this year is essential, and the best way to do that is to follow the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics. As there is no single action that will completely eliminate the risk of COVID transmission, I agree with the layered strategy being used in Braintree schools: masking indoors, increased ventilation, distancing, and vaccination if eligible.

I think it is important for school administrators to clearly communicate the measures that they are taking to keep students safe. They should share data on COVID rates and have a plan in place if they start to see any changes. A top priority should be giving parents as much notice as possible. Students who are quarantining, or who have extended absences due to illness, should be able to stream core academic classes from home.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Academic excellence: Braintree must invest in modern curricula, technology, and labs to prepare students for a 21st century economy.

Enrollment in teacher preparation programs declined by 30% nationally between 2008-2019, and more teachers have left due to the pandemic. We need to recruit and retain teachers who have an in-depth knowledge of their subject matter. We need a permanent superintendent to guide the schools through the challenges posed by the pandemic and failing school infrastructure. Turnover for superintendents is very high; both Duxbury and Braintree currently have interim superintendents. We should be actively searching for qualified candidates.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In 2019, I attended hearings and spoke to legislators in favor of the Student Opportunity Act which increases Chapter 70 funding for students with disabilities, low income students, and English language learners. Braintree saw the first increase in our Chapter 70 funding this year and will continue to see increases as the Act is phased in over the next six years.

Just as I advocated for an increase to our Chapter 70 funding, I will work to find funding to address our aging school infrastructure. Healthy buildings mean healthy kids and higher quality learning.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Read widely and listen to everybody; then form your own opinion.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe that public schools are the bedrock of our society, providing an opportunity to learn for all students. Strong schools in which learners are valued, engaged, and challenged are not just good for children, they are good for the whole community.