Braintree Race Profile: Kelly Cobb-Lemire For School Committee

BRAINTREE, MA — November's election will bring Braintree's second ever mayor and some new faces to the Town Council. With Mayor Joseph Sullivan retiring and five of the Town Council's nine seats having open races, there's going to be plenty of changes in town leadership after Tuesday's election.

Races for School Committee, Electric Light Board, Housing Authority, and Library Trustee will not be contested, but School Committee candidate Kelly Cobb-Lemire still answered the Patch candidate profile and gave voters an idea of what issues she thinks are important as the town moves ahead with new leadership. Here's a little about Cobb-Lemire before the Braintree town election on Nov. 5.

Previously on Patch:

• Braintree Candidate Profile: Thomas Reynolds Jr. For Mayor
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Charles Kokoros For Mayor
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Timothy Carey For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Lawrence Mackin For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Julia Flaherty For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: David Ringius For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Steve Sciascia For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Gisca Bonhomme For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Donna Connors For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Meredith Boericke For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: John McKinley For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Shawn Cody For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: Anthony Preston For Town Council
• Braintree Candidate Profile: John Mullaney For Town Council

The single most pressing issue facing Braintree is ____, and this is what you intend to do about it?

The single most pressing issue facing Braintree is the lack of long-term planning to address school building improvements and maintenance for all our schools, but especially at Braintree High School. Braintree High School, is our newest school and is 46-years-old, and is currently on academic warning due to the lack of maintenance, safety violations, and not being equipped for 21st -Century Learning.

Dr. Hackett, working with the current School Committee Members, has done a great job of getting both middle schools in the MSBA pipeline. As a member of the Middle School Transition Team, I have been excited to see our teachers, administrators, and parents work together to plan to move our 5th graders into these two state-of-the-art middle schools over the next few years.

However, for many, many years nothing was being done to address our outdated school buildings. Last year, we had two roofs blow off of our schools and 2 of the 3 boilers failed at BHS causing indoor temperatures to drop to the low 50s. These are unacceptable situations, and our students and teachers deserve a better and safer learning environment.

I will work with the School Committee members, superintendent, town councilors and the mayor to ensure that the issues at the high school are addressed with transparency and accountability. I will fight to make sure capital improvements are a priority.

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

I have been advocating for better Braintree schools for over the past 12 years as a parent. In fact, I have been actively working with Dr. Hackett over the past three years about ways to improve BHS. I am not afraid to ask the tough questions and to hold our elected officials accountable. I will not accept the status quo.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Responsibility: I believe that education is a civil right and that all of our students are entitled to equal access to a quality public education that maximizes their individual potential. As a School Committee Member my first priority will be to the students.

Accountability: I pledge to advocate for full and fair local, state and federal funding (including supporting updating the Chapter 70 funding formula) in order to ensure each student’s performance and success. I will assure that tax dollars are spent wisely.

Commitment: My goal is to support all of our children in their academic success with a rigorous curriculum, enriching activities and programs that foster emotional and physical wellness. I believe that the parents in the community of Braintree together with our teachers, staff, and administrators are vital resources.

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

I hold a degree in legal studies from Bay Path University and have worked for over 20 years as a litigation paralegal in both Boston and San Diego. As a Litigation Paralegal, I am extremely organized, proactive, detailed-oriented, and have strong verbal and written skills.

In 2010, I was part of a small group of parents who fought for Full-Day Kindergarten in Braintree. I have been actively involved in each of my children’s PTOs. I was the co-president and active member of the Hollis Elementary PTO for many years and organized various events and fundraisers for classroom technology and school supplies.

I ran the Election Day Bake Sale and the Stop & Shop Rewards Program for three years at South Middle School PTO which were the only fundraising events as that time. This year I am chairing the 8Th grade graduation party and will volunteer at my 6th and final Book Fair.

For the past 3 years, I have been actively volunteering at Braintree High School and I am a current member of School Council.

I am running for School Committee because I have been advocating for various school issues since my children were in kindergarten and I want the opportunity to be the voice for the students and taxpayers. For my entire adult life, I have been serving my community and bringing people together to solve problems.

What's your favorite thing about Braintree?

This is my 11th year of being a Braintree Girl Scout Leader. And for the past 3 years, I have had the honor of being the co-leader of the Braintree Chapter of the Neighbor Brigade which helps residents in short-term, temporary crisis. I can honestly say from first-hand experience that my favorite thing about Braintree is our strong sense of community service.

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

As a School Committee member, I will welcome community engagement, celebrate diversity, practice inclusiveness and encourage new ideas. I promise to always promote the well-being of all our children. I will be a fierce fighter for free full-day kindergarten and for a long-term capital plan to update our crumbling buildings. I will advocate to budget more money directly into the supply line for the teachers.