Framingham Candidate Profile: Richard Baritz For School Committee

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham will have several contested races in the November election, including the District 9 School Committee seat.While several candidates in the School Committee race are running unopposed in their districts, District 9 has two newcomers vying for the seat.

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.

Richard Baritz, 66, is running for the District 9 School Committee seat. His opponent is William J. LaBarge. Baritz is a retired small business owner and Internal Revenue Agent who served on Town Meeting and the Community Development Committee. Baritz 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.

To manage rising costs to allow the school system to be able to give each student the opportunity for a quality education while not overburdening the taxpayer. I have financial expertise and have been on a local condo board for over 10 years, as treasurer, with an annual 2019 budget of over $1.4 million, and have contained cost thru efficiencies and outsourcing, resulting in no maintenance fee increases for the last 4 years. I will strive for the goal that the city creates all schools with effectively indistinguishable levels of quality. The need of school choice will then be greatly diminished resulting in savings of tens of thousands of dollars in busing costs.

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

While I am sure my opponent wants, as I do, for the the students of Framingham to have the opportunity to obtain a truly quality education. Here are some differences: I have spoken out in two instances directly to the School Committee during their meetings, 1) against when a teacher was going to be cut in social studies at the Fuller Middle School, which did not happen. 2) when the School Committee found $700,000 of funds not needed by the schools, I urged the School Committee to give those funds back to the then town to help limit the tax burden on the residents, which passed. However, my opponent who was a town meeting member did not speak at the School Committee meeting on either of these two important issues: 1) of equal opportunity for all students no matter where they live in the now city, 2) obtaining the most reasonable tax rate. I personally do not believe that my opponent has the professional experience or training to obtain the goal of a quality education for students, while at the same time watching out for the taxpayers so they are not overburdened. Having a quality school system along with a reasonable tax rate will result in keeping Framingham a city of choice, as an affordable and desirable place to live.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I intend, if elected, to be involved in many issues, such as unfunded State mandates and increasing the State rating of the Framingham Public Schools. I will work with the other members of the school committee and the administration, get feedback from educators, welcome parents views, amongst other avenues to determine the best result for our students.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I went back to school when I was 39 and obtained a BS from Northeastern with highest honors and then a MBA from Bentley, attending both schools at night while maintaining a full time job. Since that time I have been on a local condo board for over 12 years and served on Town Meeting for over 10 years. I will continue that steadfastness and determination if allowed to serve on the School Committee for District 9.

As mentioned earlier, as a treasurer of a condo association, the maintenance fee did not increase for that association for the last four years.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Treat others as you want to be treated.

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

I have been a Framingham homeowner since 1981.
I have just added to my resume this year being a volunteer for Jewish Family Services in 2 positions. I am currently a Patient Navigator for them, which entails picking up seniors and driving them to and from their doctor while going and staying with the senior into the appointment to take notes.
Also, I help a blind person by going to his home as needed, to help with various computer tasks and other issues.