Barnhill, Freudberg, Hugo On 2021 Framingham School Board Bids

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The 2021 race for Framingham School Committee is entirely uncontested, but that doesn't mean the candidates don't have anything to say.

Framingham Patch asked each incumbent — and two newcomers running unchallenged for two vacant seats — to tell us about why they're running in 2021, and what they're going to do with a new term.

Chair Adam Freudberg and District 1 member Beverly Hugo are among the longest-serving members of a committee that's only been around since 2017 (not counting Framingham's 200-odd years as a town). Jessica Barnhill is one of the newest members, having won her seat in 2019 after Gloria Pascual left to run for City Council.

Here's what they had to say about their bids for reelection in 2021:

Jessica Barnhill

Why did you choose to run for reelection in 2021?

As a longtime resident and a mother of a child who will be entering the Framingham Public Schools, I am deeply invested in Framingham. I’ve spent the past 16 years as a public school teacher. I offer my experience and knowledge to the Framingham community. I plan to continue advocating for our children and our schools.

Looking back to Jan. 1, 2020, the day that I was sworn into office, it’s amazing to think of what was on the horizon and how unaware I was of the journey that was ahead.

This past year was hard. As a single mom, working full-time teaching, I can say it was by far one of the most challenging. It was a year filled with isolation, loss, challenges, and uncertainty. However, throughout the struggles, there were moments of joy, kindness, and inspiration that somehow helped carry me through. 2020 also came with tremendous self growth, meaningful experiences, and invaluable lessons.

I’m excited that I am running for reelection for School Committee. I’m grateful for the encouragement and support that I’ve received. I’m passionate about my mission to serve

As 2021 speeds along, I welcome the opportunity to serve again for a second term. We, as a city, need to move forward. There is work to be done to heal and grow. Our children must come first. Their safety and wellbeing must be top priorities.

The demand for social and emotional supports for our students has never been higher. It is our responsibility to provide learning opportunities, social and emotional supports and ensure students and families get the services they need.

In addition, when I am elected I will continue to advocate for:

1. A south side school in District 8.
2. Transparent and equitable policies/practices
3. High-quality universal pre-K

I’m looking forward to more district dialogues, collaborating with local leadership, and discussing my vision for our students and children. I greatly appreciate the opportunity for a second term.

For more information please visit the Jessica Barnhill for Framingham School Committee page on Facebook. Jessica can be reached directly at Jessica.barnhill7@gmail.com.

Adam Freudbuerg

Why did you choose to run for reelection in 2021?

I am excited to announce my goal to continue to serve on the Framingham School Committee from District 4.

As the Chair of the School Committee during the COVID-19 pandemic, I teamed up with my colleagues and Superintendent [Robert] Tremblay to navigate through the crisis and massive puzzle which shook up our community. The challenges of the 2020 and 2021 school years were immense, and continue on in different ways.

In my leadership role, I have worked hard to support the students, staff and community on pre-K to 12 initiatives with a focus on health and wellness, student achievement, transparency, ethics, fiscal responsibility, and long-term strategic planning. Equity, anti-racist practices, clear communication, and long-term strategic planning are factored into and prioritized across all areas.

I am the father of three young children who attend or will attend our public schools during the next two decades. Due to them and all other students, my interest and commitment to remain as a School Committee member has grown stronger in two ways. First, the pandemic’s detrimental impact and the need for experienced leadership to help recover have pushed me to run again. And the second reason is due to the mayor’s chronic series of six separate reductions to the school budget since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

You're running unopposed this year. Does that concern you? What's one way the city could get more citizens involved in local politics?

Yes. Competition is essential to support better accountability and progress. To create a pipeline of new School Committee members or people who want to influence change without being in elected office, there are a variety of different ways to participate. Attending a school-based meeting of a school council or parent-teacher organization is one way. Watching School Committee, the committee’s subcommittee meetings and School Building Committee meetings are other ways. We do not get contacted enough by residents with feedback and ideas. I often say that emails are free and can be used strategically to ensure they have a voice.

What's your top priority for your next term?

In a district of this size and with so many needs, it is hard to pick just one top priority. This year has been full of multitasking and focusing on the immediate, near-term, and long-term issues. Whether it has been coordination with health officials, developing policies on emergency public health measures, allocating federal grants towards ventilation upgrades, standing up against the mayor’s school budget reductions, renaming an elementary school, pushing for the school district to finally have solar energy projects, ensuring the committee aggressively follows open meeting and ethics law requirements, participating in collective bargaining, providing respectful oversight of central office administrators and encouraging changes to past practices to be more strategic, bringing the independent equity and Title IX audit’s findings to the public and pushing for continued progress on the recommendations, attending all Fuller School Building Committee meetings, collaborating with state officials and City Councilors on issues large and small, or any other one of the thousands of other School Committee actions this past term — I am ready to continue this essential work and whatever comes before us next.

To make sure I answer your specific question, I will choose the broad topic of pandemic management and recovery. That is my top focus, as it covers so much, as we need to focus on compliance with all rules, equity in our responses, and respect and support continuous improvement with the needs of staff, students, families, and our community as we continue to manage through pandemic challenges and prepare for better days.

Beverly Hugo

Why did you choose to run for reelection in 2021?

I have chosen to run for re-election to the District 1 School Committee seat because there is still work that needs to be accomplished and my wealth of experience, leadership, collaboration and ideas have consistently yielded proven results for our school district. As a product of and a lifelong advocate for Public Education, I wish to continue to address issues of equity, a school district that works well for all, a south side school, an Early Childhood Education Center and increased academic achievement.

Most importantly, I love children and want the best educational experience possible for them so that they can thrive and their futures will be bright!

Does running unopposed this year concern me? What is one way the city could get more citizens involved in local politics?

Having no School Committee seat contested this year does not give the voters a substantial choice in who will represent them and their interests for the next two years. Competition in elections is healthy, where voters can choose who most closely aligns with their vision and values. Having a robust field, candidates may work harder every two years to garner support from the community and gauge peoples' concerns. It is an important reset for incumbent candidates to pause and reflect and to hear from their constituents about their performance and progress. Although these actions take place regardless of competition for the seat, contested elections seem to intensify and strengthen the process.

The city could get more citizens involved by actively pursuing and recruiting homegrown leaders. Encouraging people to run and helping with the process of running for office could greatly increase the pool of candidates. The city is fortunate to have a number of dedicated volunteers who distinguish themselves by making meaningful contributions to those boards. They should be encouraged to run for elected office and mentored in the political process.

What is your top priority for the next term?

Although the mitigation of learning loss and social/emotional wellness are the top priorities for all school districts while we ride out this egregious pandemic, my two priorities that are tied for the top spot are to move forward with a sense of urgency to building an elementary school on the south side of our city and the formation of an early childhood center (like the model in Dedham) that will greatly enhance school readiness for our youngsters and alleviate the overcrowding in our elementary schools.

More from 2021 Framingham School Committee candidates:

• William LaBarge On 2021 Framingham School Board Run
• Meet Jennifer Moshe, New Framingham School Committee Member
• Meet Valerie Ottaviani, Future Framingham School Committee Member
• Framingham Man Mounts Write-In Campaign For School Committee