Burlington Election Letter To The Editor Roundup

BURLINGTON, MA — The Burlington town election is rapidly approaching, on June 6. Four candidates are vying for two seats on the School Committee.

The following are letters to the editor submitted by residents.

Letter to the editor from Burlington Town Meeting Member Nolan Glantz:

I am writing in support of Katherine Bond for School Committee. Ms. Bond is a Logistics Specialist, and her expertise is now more valuable than ever. Her extensive knowledge and background in business, management, contracts, and coordination will prove to be invaluable to the residents of Burlington given the current health pandemic and its effects on our town’s economy and on the operation of our schools

We all know that the situation this spring has been unprecedented. And it remains to be seen what ultimate effects the pandemic will have on our town’s budgets, and on how our schools will need to be run in the fall and over the next couple of years. Being a Logistics Specialist, I think Ms. Bond’s background in management and coordination will be a great asset as the School Committee will be forced to figure out confusing new parameters for what it takes to operate a school system.

The School Committee already includes the perspective of 2 long-time former teachers. Rather than having more of the teacher’s perspective or a beverage-industry perspective, the Committee would greatly benefit from the addition of Ms. Bond’s business and logistical expertise. Please join me in supporting Katherine Bond for School Committee.

Thank you,

Nolan Glantz

9 Redcoat Lane

TMM Precinct 1

Letter to the editor from Burlington resident Amy Goober:

Who Do We Need On The School Committee?

This is an important question for those who have children in our school system and for those who don’t. The importance of the quality of the education and in turn the quality of the graduating students in Burlington affects our town, our residents and even our housing values. I support Katherine Bond for School Committee for many reasons. Katherine has the type of background and character we need on our school committee. She has provided continuing service to the School Council at Burlington High School by providing feedback and evaluating policies and procedures prior to them being presented to the School Committee. Katherine has devoted years to the Pop Warner program as a cheer coach, has served on the boards of the Burlington Hockey and Skating Association, the Burlington Swim and Tennis Club and the Winchester Figure Skating Club. In doing so she has helped to strengthen these organizations operationally and financially.

I have no hesitation in recommending Katherine for the important role of School Committee member. She is a multi-tasker who can take on any challenge and use her intellect and intuition to solve each problem. She is ethical and fair as well. Her focus would be on making the Burlington school system strong on both the educational and developmental platforms.

As a parent whose child has gone through our school system from kindergarten to high school graduation, Katherine’s personal experience with all ages and grade levels will also be an advantage. It is important that a School Committee member be able to hear all sides of a situation and balance those viewpoints to help reach the correct decision. Katherine is definitely capable of this skill set.

On June 6th when you cast your vote for School Committee member of the Burlington schools, I hope you will confidently support and vote for Katherine Bond.

Amy Goober
6 Mulberry Lane
Burlington, MA

Letter to the editor from Burlington Town Meeting Member Gregory Ryan:

These Tough Times Call for Consistent Leadership on Burlington School Committee

Please join me in supporting Stephen Nelson for School Committee. In the chaotic new environment caused by the global pandemic, the experience of Mr. Nelson, a member of the School Committee for more than 20 years, will be needed in order to figure out how to educate our students safely.

We all know how disruptive the effects of the pandemic have been so far this spring. We do not exactly know what life will be like in the fall and for the next couple of years, but we can expect the School Committee to be forced to figure out creative new ways to educate our children within the likely backdrop of new state mandates, health recommendations, etc.

Given that context, 1 think we would benefit greatly from having as much consistency as possible in charge of running our school system. Going forward it will likely continue to be very difficult to sort out the complicated new mechanisms and modalities that will be needed in order to educate our students in as safe a manner as possible. New School Committee members will need to be focused on learning the many basic aspects of school system management, such as the processes for budget and policy setting, staff oversight, etc. Such new members would have a harder time focusing on sorting out the new challenges that the pandemic will likely bring. We need experienced leaders at the helm who have already seen and mastered the way things currently work in order to be free to refocus on reframing things into a new way of working.

I hope you will join me in supporting Stephen Nelson for School Committee. His long-time experience and consistent leadership is just what we need going forward.

Gregory F. Ryan
TMM Precinct 1

Letter to the editor from Burlington resident Ed Dube:

Why should people vote for Carl Foss for school committee? That's what I was asking myself as I filled out my absentee ballot. To be fair, it wasn't a question that I actually needed to answer. Carl has my vote. He's a friend. We know each other because we're both teachers. The question was actually meant for the community. So, here's why you should vote for Carl.

He's got integrity. Since I've known him, and it's been a number of years, I have seen Carl deal with difficult situations with students, staff and administration. There were cases where Carl stuck to his guns on issues. In other cases he compromised, not capitulated, and managed to get to an end result that everyone could accept.

He listens. Carl understands that there are always multiple stakeholders in any sort of negotiation. He may not do what all of those parties want, but he will listen, and consider, all positions. He's not partisan. He's not parochial. He is a member of the community.

He's vested. He has two very good reasons in ensuring the success and well-being of the BPS. A homeowner with two young children in school Carl has some significant motivation to try and make the best decisions for the district. What's good for the community is also good for his family.

I could go on about why "Foss for Us" is a good idea, but I will simply say vote for Carl.

Thanks.

Ed Dube

Locust Street

Letter to the editor from Burlington resident Gary Romagna:

Re-Elect Steve Nelson, Burlington School Committee

The upcoming election on June 6th is an important one. With the current pandemic, we need the stability and experience Steve Nelson brings to the School Committee. As a lifelong Burlington resident, an accomplished attorney, and an established School Committee member, Steve is a huge asset during this time of uncertainty. As a graduate of BHS, Boston College, and Suffolk Law, Steve's educational background is outstanding.

The intricacies of individualizing remote learning for every grade and ability level takes understanding of the entire school system, not just a limited part of it. As we face an unprecedented school opening with social distancing protocols, this is not the time to rock the boat. We need the steady hand Steve consistently shows. There is no question Steve is the most qualified candidate in this race.

Please join me in voting for the experience and commitment always shown by Steve Nelson. With his help and that of others, we will weather this storm, protect lives, and reestablish normalcy for all of our students.

Vote June 6th, or vote by mail. http://www.burlington.org/2020-Municipal-Early-Ballot-Application.pdf

Thank you,
Gary F. Romagna
4 Benson Way

Letter to the editor from Burlington Resident Ann Steeves:

To the Editor:

I am one of the many Burlington residents who received a letter endorsing two school committee candidates, Stephen Nelson and Katherine Bond. There were several things that struck me as odd, if not unseemly, about the letter. First, it was co-authored by Christine Monaco, Tom Murphy and Kristen Russo. All three are current School Committee members, though Ms. Russo is leaving the committee, opening a space for a new member. While they are within their rights to endorse a candidate or candidates, it was striking that their letter endorsed them together, making it seem like they are setting up a joint ticket, a la presidential tickets. That makes me wonder if they believe that neither candidate can campaign on their own merits? Certainly Mr. Nelson has had a long record which included the NEASC accreditation debacle, lack of oversight of spending by Marshall Simonds Middle School administrators, and the revelation of a stash of cash in the Music Department that was not accounted for according to town guidelines, with no consequences for those involved or for those in charge of oversight.

I was also struck by the repeated use of “our committee” in the letter. That implies ownership, which, given that the authors of the letter are members of said committee, is eyebrow-raising, to say the least.

Finally, it is also worth noting that Ms. Bond’s campaign chairman is the Town Meeting Moderator, Bill Byers. As Moderator, he wields influence over the committees and meetings that directly affect the school system. While his position as her campaign manager may not be illegal, it is also eyebrow-raising. More than that, it is textbook cronyism.

The people of Burlington deserve better than a handpicked cabal running the schools. I urge voters to vote for the two other candidates, Adam Senesi and Carl Foss. They bring fresh eyes and fresh ideas to a committee that desperately needs them.

Sincerely,
Ann Steeves
15 Saint Marys Rd.
Burlington, MA 01803

These letters were produced by Burlington residents. The views expressed are the authors' own.