LETTER: I Urge You to Vote for Silvia Nerssessian'

SUDBURY, MA — The following letter was submitted:

As a Sudbury resident with a grandchild at Peter Noyes Elementary, I was alarmed to learn that the Sudbury Public Schools School Committee was discussing a shortfall of about $4 million to maintain current level of services if the Board of Selectmen decided to accept the Finance Committee's recommendation of a 2.25% budget increase for the schools.

That rattled me. How could such expenses come up so suddenly? What will happen to the children and staff in the schools if that increase is not feasible? What about our taxes?

As a result I began attending school committee and finance committee meetings. What I've seen and heard leads me to believe the school committee is well intentioned but needs to up its game in the areas of long-term planning and fiduciary oversight.

While at those meetings I met others with similar concerns—among them was Silvia Nerssessian. First she impressed me with her ability to locate and interpret important information that I was at a loss even to find. Then I learned of her recent history of pitching in and using her professional qualifications to help turn around a financially ailing school.

A group of concerned citizens met to consider how we might help improve things. When we found that Silvia was willing to take up the challenge of joining the school committee to apply her skills to help Sudbury Public Schools navigate the financial problems we're facing, I thought: Perfect match! Lucky Sudbury!

If you would like to see Sudbury's resources put to use with a careful balance of long-term planning, fiscal prudence, and assurance of quality education for our children, I urge you to vote for Silvia Nerssessian for School Committee on Monday, March 27.

Meanwhile learn more about Silvia at www.silvia4sudbury.org.

Kay Bell

Old Lancaster Road