Braintree Election 2021: Stephanie Burrell 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 Stephanie Burrell, a candidate for the Braintree School Committee, in the Nov. 2 town election.

Stephanie Burrell

Age (as of Election Day)

44

Position Sought

School Committee

Family

(Jeffrey, Husband 19 years) (Brianna, Daughter age 16) (Abigail, Daughter age 12)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice - Salem State College

Occupation

Paralegal (18 Years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

Facebook (Stephanie Burrell for Braintree School Committee)

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for school committee to be an advocate for every student and every family in Braintree. The issues and challenges that are facing our schools and students have already begun to impact our future. My top priority is to work together to craft actionable and solid solutions that will truly address the needs and concerns of our school community. As a school committee member, it is our responsibility to do everything within our power to prepare our children for the competitive future they are facing. Braintree has always had a great reputation for the quality of our school system, and I feel as though now we are falling short. My goal is to restore that quality.

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

The most important issue facing our schools is the infrastructure. The physical condition of our buildings and also the IT infrastructure and technology. Our students should be taught in a modern learning environment that allows them to excel. First thing we need to do for the immediate term, is to complete the inspection of and assessment of Braintree High School, if it hasn't been done already. And to use that punch list as a priority rating to see what are the critical needs that should be resolved first. Then we can move on to the other less critical needs. We need to also think long term. Responding to emergency situations is expensive and doesn't solve long-term issues. It is only a band-aid. Once we have the priority list complete, we can identify the costs and solutions to upgrade, renovate and rebuild our school buildings. This will save money in the long term, but also provide modern learning environments that our students and staff can succeed in.

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

I am running as an advocate and representative for all children and families. I am passionate, a fresh voice, and I am not afraid to vote against the majority because it is the easier path. I am not a follower.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current committee failed all of our students and faculty during the covid pandemic. Furthermore, their inability to come up with a more comprehensive plan and allow the inefficiencies to continue to take place is why I got involved.

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

We all saw the shortcomings of remote learning. We were not prepared. The MCAS scores were just one example of that. They slipped significantly. Our IT infrastructure was not prepared. Children spent hours a day staring at blank screens or watching their computer try to load onto google meets. We must be better prepared with better planning to ensure that our students are getting the education, resources and additional help when needed to succeed. We must be proactive in our planning, not reactive. Being prepared for as many scenarios as possible will help.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I want to advocate to have a review of all Sped policies and practices. It is important that our parents are listened to and hear what some of their main concerns are. As a parent of a daughter on an IEP I want to make sure that all of our students do not fall through the cracks and are not left behind. I also want to make sure we maintain full in-person learning, but we need to establish a strong and sustainable pivot plan for remote learning for the unexpected.

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

As a Paralegal for 18 years, I have many qualities that will allow me to handle this job. I can multitask and take on projects from start to finish. I see things through the finish line. The committee needs people to get the ball rolling and follow through to the end, making sure the objectives are met. I have those qualities.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice ever shared with me has been that you can't complain about something unless you stand up and try to make a difference. If you sit back and watch it happen then you have nothing to complain about. If you want change, you have to make it happen.

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

When you vote on November 2nd you are voting for a representative to fight for the families and children of our town. Something I feel as though has been lost over the past few years. I will fight for all families and all children of this town.