Mark Zuberek Running For Danvers School Committee

The following is a declaration of candidacy from Danvers School Committee candidate Mark Zuberek to Patch:

DANVERS, MA — Mark Zuberek, a retired engineer with 50 years of extensive engineering and construction management experience, is running for the Danvers School Committee.

The 43-year resident of Danvers lives in Danvers with his wife, Eleanor, a retired high school chemistry teacher:

I care about the town of Danvers. I feel that the best way I am able to give back is to serve and participate in town government.

I have dedicated myself to public service for the past 35 years including elected and appointed positions to town meeting, finance committee and the Select Board. I appreciate the value a solid education can provide our students, setting them up for success and a bright future.

I will be a valuable voice on the school committee and am dedicated to listening and providing guidance for the betterment of our schools. I will serve as your school committee member without the need for on-the-job training. I am well prepared and have extensive experience in all the functions of local government and education.

Most urgently is creating and executing a plan for a safe return to in-person learning. The pandemic and rapidly changing state and local regulations for returning back to school have been frustrating for students, parents, residents and teachers alike. Having better communication between the community, through the school committee, with teachers and administrators could help us work together to make the best decisions for our students.

We should be proud of the commitment that Danvers has made to support our schools; competitive salaries attracting quality teachers and administrators, state-of-the-art technology and facilities to best support our students, and a dedicated school board to represent the feedback from our community.

I believe key elements to the success of the school committee are:

• TRANSPARENCY of the education process
• INCLUSIVENESS of community feedback/input
• ENHANCEMENT to improve expectations, technology and standards
• INDEPENDENT School Committee must lead and not just follow.

My short-term goals include:

• Improve Quality of Education — teacher retention, improved test scores MCAS, student surveys 2X year, community survey 1X year, challenge students and teachers, curriculum updates by the superintendent.
• Support Educators — improve retention rates, competitive salaries, teacher surveys, expand recruitment, sustain student retention rate.
• Engage Danvers Community — community survey 1X year, return to in-person community meetings for improved communication.

I am dedicated to being part of the team that improves district-wide communication and I will work with other members to develop strategic plans to ensure our school system remains up to date with technology and resources across the district.

By working together, we can all share in the knowledge and satisfaction that we have provided for the educational needs of all students, and have built a district where all residents feel they are welcome and belong.

I ask for your vote on May 4 because it is time for a change.

(Declarations of candidacy for the annual town election can be sent to Scott Souza at scott.souza@patch.com.)