Malden Election Profile: Michelle Luong For School Committee

MALDEN, MA — There are five contested School Committee races in Malden's municipal election Nov. 5. Michelle Luong, 50, is running against Keith Bernard in Ward 7.

Luong lives in Malden with her husband, Minh, and their two daughters. She is the owner of J&M Laser Engraving, which laser marks and welds surgical and orthopedic medical instruments, and has been a realtor at ReMax Trinity since 2010. She has also worked as a communications manager at multiple companies.

Luong holds a bachelor's in science from Salem State University.

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

The single most pressing issue aside from Teacher & Staff Diversity is Educational Equality.

We have 5 K-8 schools that do not offer the same programs for all students; gifted programs, special needs, English Language Learning, smaller classrooms, free after school programs, natures classroom etc. are not offered in all our schools.

I will work hard to advocate that 5 schools have the same offering, this is not a nice to have but, a necessity.

My goal is making sure any plans that are put in place have timelines, goals and deadlines for implementation across all 5 schools. These plans must make sense, my expectation is to see written plans that can be executed with the most favorable results, in a timely manner.

When we work together with Communication, Accountability and Transparency our students are the ones that benefit the most.

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

I can only speak for what I bring to the table, that is experience.

Experience as a parent of two kids that have been in the Malden Public Schools for over a decade.

Experience as a children's advocate for not only my daughter but, for other families as well. I see what changes need to happen as I have navigated the process for years.

Lifelong experience living in Ward 7. I know the families I will be representing; I have lived in this community, I know the educational history. I have taken the time to speak to families at the doors, at events, at softball games, to find out what their wants and needs are and share my ideas. More importantly, I have gone back to give them updates and to answer their questions.

Communication, Accountability, Transparency

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

My key initiatives are as follows:
1) Educational Equality
2) Empowering Families
3) Teacher Staff Diversity
4) Stronger Anti Vaping Policies
5) Bullying Prevention Programs with a strong focus on School Safety

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

I have spent many years as a Communications Manager leading project teams. As a project manager, I wrote project plans, did research and executed to a timeline with successful results for multimillion-dollar companies.

As a Realtor at ReMax Trinity in Malden since 2010, I help buyers and sellers find homes in our wonderful city and begin the next chapter of their lives. I protect their interests for the best possible outcome making sure each detail is taken care of.

As a Small Business Owner - J&M Laser Engraving since 2004 - we laser mark and weld orthopedic medical instruments, business experience with budgets, federal regulations, customer service etc.

I have spent the last decade advocating for not only my child's special needs but other families as well. I have been navigating the system and I see what part of the process needs to be fixed and what services our families need.

I am a member of the Zonta Club of Malden that champions the rights of women and children through service and advocacy. I have worked in our community, helped out at the mobile food market and was part of the team that implemented a dating violence awareness night for teens and their families.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

The best advice was from my father, all a person has is their word, make it mean something and the best of things can be accomplished working as a team with honesty, integrity and hard work.

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

This job is more than having ideas, it is about listening to the people you represent. It is knowing what needs to be done and how to do. It's knowing that translation services already exist for our immigrant families and more importantly knowing what changes to those services need to happen to make school communication even better. I will work tirelessly to build bridges between administrators, teachers and parents, with programs and policies that empower, encourage and keep students safe.

I believe that education is the cornerstone of a young mind. It is important to me that every child in Malden have the same opportunities regardless of their gender, race, economic status, disability or gifted mind.

I have been doing the research, Introduced programs, continue to ask the questions and will be a strong advocate for my neighborhood. I will be the voice that Ward 7 needs.

I respectfully ask for your vote on November 5.