Somerville Election Profile: Mary Marshall For School Committee

SOMERVILLE, MA — There are two contested School Committee races in Somerville's municipal election Nov. 5. Mary Marshall, 60, is running against Sarah Phillips in Ward 3.

Marshall lives in Somerville with her husband, Tom. They have a son who graduated Somerville High School in 2018 and a daughter at the Kennedy School.

Marshall has been a nutrition consultant at Shape Up Somerville for 10 years and previously worked as a nutrition counselor at Head to Fitness for 23 years. She has a certificate in nutrition education and studied business administration at Bunker Hill Community College.

Marshall's background in elected or appointed office includes:

• Board member and Vice Chair, Kennedy School PTA (10 years)
• President, Somerville High School PTSA (6 years)
• Member, Somerville High School Improvement Council
• Vice President, Somerville Council of PTAs (7 years)
• Vice President, Somerville Youth Softball
• Envisioning the Future of SHS STEAM (newly appointed)

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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.

We are living through a time of transition and disruption in Somerville, and it affects our children’s sense of stability and community. For those who need special education, it is particularly difficult. We don’t have enough highly-skilled and trained teachers who can provide special education in the district. As a result, kids with relatively common special education needs—to help cope with high-anxiety, ADHD, behavioral issues, and in at least one instance, dyslexia—are being educated out of the district. This is disruptive for our kids and families and is a drain on our budget. We are paying to educate our children elsewhere, and that’s not acceptable. We need to hire skilled teachers that can address these needs and invest in helping current teachers pursue special education training if they choose.

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

The best way to overcome challenges is to understand firsthand what students encounter every day in our schools, from the classroom to the cafeteria. As a parent and active school volunteer for the last 15 years, I’ve been in the trenches and have deep knowledge about the needs of the district and our students through lived experience. In short, I “walk the walk” every day, and that’s what makes me different in this campaign. Students and families know me because I show up and fight for their needs. I’ve developed successful school programs for evening activities (Kids Night Out, Saturday Free Open Gym) and helped organize a community-wide basketball fundraiser and “YUM: A Taste of the Immigrant City,” an annual event that supports Somerville youth programs. I also revived the high school’s after school snack program. My campaign priorities reflect what I learn from our youth and working families because a School Committee member must be accessible and actively listen.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Remove Affordability Barriers: I will work to expand after school and summer programming to make them more accessible to all students. I will explore ways to provide free lunches across the district and increase the space, time, and funding for physical activities.

Increase Diversity and Address Equity: I want to reflect our community by increasing the diversity of our teaching and administrative staff. Children and youth who are immigrants, low-income, people of color, and English language learners need adult role models in our schools that reflect their communities.

Increase Social and Emotional Well-Being: I will advocate for more administrative support and funding for liaison and counselor positions. I am committed to ensuring that our current high school students receive support to cope with the learning disruptions posed by building construction.

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

I have 15 years of experience serving in leadership roles in Somerville’s Parent Teacher Associations, including at the Kennedy School (10 years) and the Somerville High School PTSA, where I currently serve as President. I’m also a member of the Somerville High School Improvement Council and am Vice President of the Somerville Council of PTAs.

In my volunteer and organizing capacities, I’ve developed successful school programs for evening activities (Kids Night Out, Saturday Free Open Gym) and helped organize a community-wide basketball fundraiser and “YUM: A Taste of the Immigrant City,” an annual event that supports Somerville youth programs. I also revived the high school’s after school snack program by recruiting volunteers and advocating for permanent staff and school funding from the district

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

It’s the same advice I tell my kids. Remember to say “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” “I’m sorry,” and “what can I do to help?”

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

A School Committee member must be accessible to parents, youth, and teachers. There needs to be active lines of communication between the School Committee and Somerville’s working families. I’m in the schools multiple days of every week for meetings and events, so I have my ear to the ground. I’d like Ward 3 constituents to feel free to call, email, or Facebook me any time, so I can better understand emerging challenges and help resolve them.