2020 Natick Election Profile: Shai Fuxman For School Committee

NATICK, MA — Shai Fuxman is going to win a seat on the Natick School Committee.

That's not a prediction. Fuxman — along with incumbent members Donna McKenzie and Hayley Sonneborn — are running unopposed in the 2020 spring election. But it's still worth getting to know the candidates.

Fuxman, 42, was appointed to the School Committee in 2019, but is now running for an elected one-year term. He's lived in Natick since 2010, and was the former chair of the Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council.

Here's how Fuxman responded to the Patch candidate questionnaire:

Family: Wife, two children, two dogs
Education: Doctor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Educations (2012); Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education (2002); Bachelors of Arts, Brandeis University (1999)
Occupation: Senior Research Scientist at the Education Development Center (20 years)
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: School Committee
Campaign website: https://www.shaiforschoolcommi...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for Natick School Committee to make sure that our students get the best instruction, services and supports they need to be successful—however success is defined for each and every one of them.

In April 2017 in Feneuil Hall I took the oath of Citizenship to become a US citizen. As a proud new American I am excited to play an active role in our democracy. And what better way than running for local office? I decided to run specifically for School Committee because education is what I know best! In my professional life I have consulted with school districts, community organizations, and state agencies across the country, translating research into best practices and educational policies. I am excited about the possibility of bringing everything I have learned to support our schools and students right here in Natick.

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

The single most pressing issue facing our committee is ensuring that our schools have the resources and supports to address the growing and evolving complexity in education.

This complexity includes an ever-evolving national and global workforce. We are not tasked with preparing students' for today's jobs, but for tomorrow's careers--and many of those don't yet exist. This means preparing students to be creative, intelligent, critical thinkers who can keep up with the latest and greatest innovations.

Furthremore, advances in both medicine and technology allow us as a society to identify, diagnose, and treat a range of conditions that impact students' learning--from dyslexia to epilepsy, from autism to mental health trauma. And our educators are increasingly tasked to be on the front lines of efforts to address these conditions--in the classrooms, the playgrounds, the hallways, and in the nurses' offices.

Addressing these complex and diverse needs are our educators' ethical and legal responsibility. Our responsibility as a community, in turn, is to make sure they have the resources and supports to do so. I intend to be an active voice to ensure that our educators have what they need to help ALL of our students succeed!

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

As an experienced researcher in education, I intend to advocate for and support the implementation of evidence-based strategies that promote students' social and emotional well-being, along with those that promote high academic performance.

Election Day in Natick is March 31 and polls open at 7 a.m. The last day to register to vote is March 11.