Somerville Election Profile: Carrie Normand For School Committee

SOMERVILLE, MA — There are two contested School Committee races in Somerville's municipal election Nov. 5. Carrie Normand is running for re-election against Tara Ten Eyck in Ward 7.

Normand lives in Somerville with her husband, David. Their oldest son graduated Somerville High School in 2019 and their younger son is a sophomore.

Normand has represented Ward 7 on the School Committee for six years. She has also been active in the Somerville Public Schools as a reading tutor, Special Education Parent Advisory Council member, PTA member, School Council member and classroom volunteer.

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

Student mental health is the single most pressing issue facing our school community. This year so far, we have seen an increase in referrals and the need for targeted interventions. I will continue to advocate for wellness supports for all Somerville Public School students, including trauma sensitive schools, mindfulness, mental health providers, building the Guidance Department’s capacity, and expanded physical activity opportunities

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

Unlike my opponent, I have a proven record of serving students and families in Ward 7 and across the city. I advocated for the creation of a Pre-kindergarten class and the Promise Program (mental health support for middle graders) at the West Somerville Neighborhood School. I introduced the policy change that will allow current Somerville Public School students to remain in their school if temporarily displaced during construction of Clarendon Hill. I tutor weekly at West Somerville Neighborhood School, building strong connections with students, families, and staff at the school in my ward. I am on the Board of 3LPlace, a learning community for adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, located in Ward 7.

Like my opponent, I will continue to be a champion for a progressive system of public education. For me, progressive education means educating all 5,000 of our students well. What distinguishes my approach from hers, is that I place an emphasis on strengthening systems, not adding more programs. I support Somerville High School and Next Wave/Full Circle’s bold planning work to redesign their educational models to better meet the needs of students and educators through more flexible and experiential student-centered educational models. I have advocated for the expansion of middle grade programming. I support the innovative collaboration between Somerville Public Schools and community partners to improve early education across the city.

I will continue to advocate for project-based learning, yet I will not do so in a manner that makes it just another initiative for teachers to have to meet. Rather, I have supported the design of performance-based assessments, which are the culmination of what a student accomplishes during a project. I won't be quick to grab the shiny object that advertises itself as innovation, when its finances aren't sustainable and its planning process not transparent. Project-based learning, which has been around for decades and is used throughout the district, is a narrow definition of progressive education. Somerville’s Career and Technical Education programs are project-based, and have been since their origins. Yet my opponent does not acknowledge this valuable education option.

After much deliberation and time spent trying to collaborate, I spoke out against Powderhouse Studios to ensure that equitable resource allocation would be how Somerville Public School defines progressive education. Unlike my opponent who supports the plan, I voted against the Powederhouse Studios innovation school plan, along with the entire School Committee, because of my deep concerns about equity, the lack of detail and transparency.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am proud of the improvements across Somerville Public Schools over the past six years I have represented Ward 7 on the School Committee. I am very excited about the planned equity work, including an in-depth student enrollment, school assignment and programming study (I will have a particular focus on resources on the west side of the city), a human capital initiative to recruit and develop a staff that more closely reflects our student population, and development of budgeting methods to more closely align resource allocation with student needs.

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

I devoted countless hours of my time to collaborate and welcome Powderhouse Studio’s vision into the Somerville community. Yet, when it became obvious that their financial projections and planning were not transparent, I did the challenging work of taking a stance. This is evidence of my ability to do the job because it demonstrates my commitment to equity, my knowledge of education finance, and my belief that resources are best spent on innovations that benefit all of our students like Somerville High School’s bold education plan redesign to maximize learning opportunities for all students.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

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

Through my extensive activity in our schools, youth sports, performing arts, and our community, I have deep and broad connections across Somerville and the experience to continue being a champion of change and improvements. I value constituent input and make the time to listen. Parents are right to advocate for their children; I have a responsibility to consider the needs of all of our students when making policy and financial decisions for the Somerville Public Schools. I ask for your vote so I can continue the critical work of improving Somerville Public Schools.