Framingham Candidate Profile: Leslie White-Harvey, School Board

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham will have several contested races in the November election, including the District 8 School Committee seat. While several candidates in the School Committee race are running unopposed in their districts, District 8 has a three way race heating up. The field will narrow after the Sept. 17 preliminary election in the city.

Framingham Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Leslie White-Harvey is running for District 8 School Committee. Her opponents are Jim Hansen and Jessica Barnhill. Harvey is a teacher in Natick Public Schools and a member of Framingham's Cultural Council, the Greater Framingham Running Club and a PTO member at McCarthy and Fuller schools. She has two daughters.

Are you running for office in Framingham? Contact Samantha Mercado at samantha.mercado@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Framingham Patch.

Previously on Patch: Tides Are Turning In Framingham City Council: Election Season

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

When I’ve gone door to door in Precincts 15 and 18, I’ve heard about a lot of issues--equity, accountability, communication, busing, wellness, and even food insecurity. But the biggest question: when are we going to have our own South Side School? Long term planning towards that will be one of my goals. It not only makes sense, since so many of our students live South of Route 9, but will also save on transportation time and cost.

Communication is my other main goal. I intend to work with School Committee members and the Superintendent to give a voice to our district; I’d love to have residents of District 8 have a forum of ideas to share with the School Committee! I’ll have office hours to hear their direct and immediate concerns and do the research to come up with the best solutions with the School Committee to produce long lasting, positive results. People need to be heard and be part of the decisions.

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

I have far more volunteer and community service across Framingham than either of the other candidates. For example, I helped to bring BOKS, a before-school physical activity program to Framingham. I am a member of the Board of Directors for Hoops and Homework and for Downtown Framingham Inc. These positions have given me a chance to talk to dozens of parents and students from our area about their hopes for the school system. I’ve served on the Framingham Cultural Council and the Greater Framingham Running Club, helping to make sure that Framingham offers something for everyone. As I campaigned, I’ve worked to make sure that I’ve reached out to people who may not feel like their voices have been heard in school committee races, whether it is seniors at the Callahan Center or the Brazilian community at Brace. Inclusion of all types is very important to me.

Most of all, I am a “doer”. I happily take on whatever tasks are needed to help organizations run smoothly. That is a key trait to have on a nine person board that must work collaboratively in the name of all students.

Lastly, our school committee needs to be as diverse as our student and parent population. I bring a voice and life experiences that would add to the decision making process. We all recognize that it is important to have diverse staff, but it is equally important on School Committee.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The school committee made some progress making sure our schools are equitable and work for all students. However, we need to make sure there are clear ways for schools and school leaders to be held accountable in this area, with specific goals and ways of measuring results. As an educator, I know we also need to make sure that teachers’ voices are heard as part of our process when evaluating district initiatives. There has been recent feedback that they have not felt as included as possible and that morale may be an issue in some instances. School Committee cannot micromanage schools, but this is something for us to be aware of as we move forward.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

1. As I mentioned, I campaigned for the Fuller School Project, and am thrilled that it passed. However, we also need to look at the possibility of new neighborhood school on the south side of the city as soon as possible, as that is where the majority of our students live.
2. As a school committee member, I would like us to make sure all students have equitable access to technology.
3. I believe we need to look long and hard at any ways we can decrease the time students spend on buses and how to communicate transportation issues in a timely manner.
4. I’d also like us to think about how schools can be more “green”, whether that is by finding places for solar panels on roofs or by creating community garden opportunities.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
. I am an Educator

• Bachelor’s Degree, University of Mass Amherst
• Appointed to Framingham Cultural Council where we allocated thousands of dollars funding for cultural events in Framingham
• Selected as Ambassador of Downtown Framingham
• PTO member and subcommittee participant, McCarthy and Fuller Schools
• Appointed on Team Framingham’s Steering Committee for Boston Marathon mentor runners for many years!
• Fundraising expert raising over $20,000 in 4 years running Boston Marathon
• Member and Social Media Director, Greater Framingham Running Club
• Chairperson and helper to build two playgrounds at Framingham Hoops and Homework and McCarthy Elementary
• Volunteer, Framingham Summer Kids Track Series at Bowditch Field
• Track Coach at my School
• Boston Athletic Association Coach for first ever Fuller Middle School invitational in 2018
• Volunteer, Curtis Family Meal Prep Thanksgiving Meal Prep
• Ran Marine Cop Marathon and fund raised for injured Marines

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Always stay involved! Never be afraid to start something new! Lead with your heart the rest will follow!

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

I am an Educator at neighboring Public School. I work with General and Special Education populations. I work with kids and volunteer for kids. I work and collaborate with fellow educators .My work I do everyday has prepared me for the role on School Committee weather in the class rooms , hall ways, on fields on the track I understand students and their needs.

Most of all, I am a proud and passionate parent of two children, one who has graduated and one who currently a student at Framingham High School. Fun fact this year 2019 my oldest and I were the first ever parent child duo to run Boston Marathon for Team Framingham for the city of Framingham. My youngest is an amazing violinist nine years with Framingham Public Schools. At Framingham High School my youngest participates in Field Hockey, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Tennis and is involved in other areas at school.

I work full time, Coach Track and on various Boards and Clubs. I am proud of my multitasking quality I love volunteering. I have been called a serial volunteer and Ambassador for Downtown Framingham Inc. My contribution volunteering to the revitalization of Downtown Framingham, mentoring Boston Marathon runners on Team Framingham Steering Committee ,Yes For Fuller Campaign, Kids Summer Track with Greater Framingham Running Club and building two playgrounds Fall 2018 for Hoops and Homework and Summer 2019 for McCarthy Elementary School has been some of my most rewarding volunteer experiences.

As most people know I am a runner, a Marathon runner who has ran for Boys & Girls Club Metrowest, Resiliency for Life and Framingham High School Foundation both Framingham High School Programs and Hoops and Homework. I have ran Marine Corp Marathon and raised funds for injured Marines. I have raised over $20,000 for our Framingham students.

Of all the races I have ran this may be my most important race yet. I am the only candidate in District 8 race with a child currently in the Framingham Public Schools. I am the only candidate who ran two years ago and I'm running again because like any good runner I never quit. I can't do this alone. We need a team our kids deserve a team join me and run with me. Let's put Framingham's kids in first place.

I am an avid Boston sports fan and my beloved alma mater UMass Amherst University of Mass Amherst.

I enjoy running , traveling, museums, outdoors, yoga and dancing, almost all music, enjoying different cuisines restaurants and food trucks. Recently tried my hand at Mural painting! I helped paint a Mural with my High Schooler, Framingham High School Art Club, Downtown Framingham Inc. on the beautification of Downtown I truly enjoyed painting.

I’ll work tirelessly for the well being of our community. Please Vote September 17th and then again November 5th at Saint Tarcisius Parish -RCAB voting location. The Candidate to put Framingham's Kids in first place. Always running for our kids.