School Committee Candidates Discuss the Department's Needs

Welcome to Meet the School Committee Candidates: each day this week we'll post a question and an answer from each of the candidates regarding their run for a seat on the School Committee. Today's edition will include two questions as the first is an introduction to each of the candidates.

Nick DeSilvio is running for a second term on the committee while Barbara Skaar is running for the seat as a write-in candidate.

1. Describe your background and qualifications - what would you bring to the School Committee as a member?

DeSilvio:  As a member of the Chelmsford School Committee, I believe my business experience, courage to make tough decisions, and dedication to our school district has benefited our community.  Although being a member of the school committee is not an easy job, my decision to run again was never in doubt.  That is why in January, when nomination papers first became available, my papers were signed and returned within days ensuring my place on the ballot. My family and I love the town of Chelmsford, and I feel blessed to be a part of this great town.

I live at 4 Coach Rd with my wife Christine and our five children. In addition to being a current member of the Chelmsford School Committee, I am also a member of St. Mary Parish, Chelmsford Knights of Columbus, and serve as a Town Meeting Representative for Precinct 5. I have a BS in Business from Daniel Webster College with a minor in aviation management. I am a managing partner at Protium Technologies with responsibilities of business development, sales, contract negotiations, procurement, and strategic planning. I believe that I bring a different view from the private sector to the Chelmsford School Committee. I am actively involved in Chelmsford youth sports, and appreciate the incredibly positive influence it has on our kids, families, and town. I have been fortunate to coach for Chelmsford Pop Warner, CYBL, and Chelmsford Youth Baseball. 

During my three years on the school committee, I have focused on providing leadership, transparency, and accountability with a direct and no nonsense approach.  As a school committee member, I am dedicated to move the Chelmsford School District to the next level, and as a taxpayer and parent I expect the school district to be run efficiently and effectively. Today our schools must do more with less. As a taxpayer and the father of five children in our schools, I have the courage to make the tough decisions during a difficult financial period, and in the best interests of the students, taxpayers, and our entire Chelmsford community. 

Skaar: My qualifications include many years of service dedicated to our schools.  I served as PTO President of Center Elementary School for two years and McCarthy Middle School for three years.   In addition, I have served as President of the Council of Chelmsford Schools three times, a position I currently hold.  I also am a member of the Principal’s Liaison Committee at Chelmsford High School.  I have spent countless hours working with our children in classroom settings and at after-school activities to ensure their experiences in our schools are safe, engaging and memorable. 

In terms of background, I graduated from a public high school and I have a B.A. in Environmental and Urban Studies from Virginia Tech.  In addition, I earned a law degree from Suffolk University Law School.  I worked for Zaroulis & Maille which served as town counsel to Tewksbury, Tyngsborough and the Nashoba Valley Technical High School.  During that time I specialized in municipal litigation.  I believe these experiences and my ability to work as a collaborative team member make me a qualified candidate to serve on the School Committee.

In addition,  I have a comprehensive knowledge base of budget process and analysis having served on the Chelmsford Finance Committee for four years, two years as Chairperson.  I served on the original Ambulance Study Committee for two years and our findings resulted in our firefighters taking the initiative to become EMT-certified.  I enjoy working as part of a team to bring new and innovative ideas into the town of Chelmsford.

2. What do you think are the School Department's needs and how would you address them as a School Committee member?

DeSilvio: One of the main issues that has been resolved was to bring a top leadership team to the school district and this was accomplished with the hiring of Dr. Tiano, Superintendent, Dr. Rodriguez, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Curriculum, Ms. Kathy McWilliams, Business Manager, and Ms. Anne Marie Fiore, Director of Technology. With the team in place we now are focusing on a Five Year Strategic Plan, a Five Year Technology Plan, our Special Education program, and the revamping of our Food Services program.  The school committee eagerly awaits the administration's plans for these areas and upon acceptance by the school committee, our role will be to help guide the district through any new or revised policies to support these plans.

A very important issue that has not gone away is the need for the state to revise the formula for Chapter 70. Chelmsford is being cheated for our fair share of funding and the school committee will continue to advocate for our school district, including engaging community members to assist in our efforts. 

Skaar: The greatest needs facing our School Department are adequate funding and meeting the challenge of ever-changing technology.  The challenges must be met while balancing the School Department’s needs against the needs of the town. 

A growing concern is the implementation of unfunded mandates from the state, such as new wellness and nutrition requirements and teacher evaluations.  The School Department must comply with these new state orders, but receives no funding for implementation or oversight.  I have reached out to the State Treasurer’s office in an attempt to get additional information concerning his efforts to evaluate the burden of unfunded mandates.   As a School Committee member, I will continue to work, individually and collaboratively, to provide adequate funding to our schools. 

As President of the Council of Chelmsford Schools, I had the opportunity and privilege to work with the parents, Donna Newcomb and Laura McLaughlin, who formed the Initiative for Local Aid.   Their effort to bring attention to the inequalities in the Chapter 70 funding formula was funded by the Council while I was President.  

For our schools, and specifically, our children, better funding means better technology.  Chelmsford Schools were on the cutting edge of introducing Universal Design for Learning into our classrooms.  This program allows for different approaches to teach our children so that different learning styles are addressed.  Our Technology Department, under Anne-Marie Fiore, is second to none in keeping our classrooms equipped with tools needed to meet the needs of our students and I will continue to work to support their efforts.  

Don't forget to check Patch tomorrow for the next question and set of answers from each candidate.