LETTER: 'Silvia Nerssessian Has Experience, Integrity, Transparency'

SUDBURY, MA — The following letter was submitted to Sudbury Patch:

I am writing to endorse Silvia M. Nerssessian for Sudbury School Committee, enthusiastically and without reservation.

I have known Silvia for several months and have had the pleasure of attending meetings and sharing ideas with her regarding issues before the School Committee, Finance Committee, and Board of Selectmen. One is immediately struck by her quiet confidence, wealth of knowledge, and earnest desire to support our community. She is knowledgeable yet humble, has great expertise yet is highly approachable, and truly enjoys the type of work required of our School Committee members. We are fortunate to have her in our community and that she is willing to volunteer her time to serve on our School Committee.

Enthusiasm alone cannot create the reality of excellence in our schools. We must elect candidates with the knowledge and experience to make positive contributions, set policy, provide oversight, and safeguard our public funds and institutions.

What truly differentiates Silvia is her proven track record of direct experience meeting the challenges we currently face. She has previously served on the board of Atrium School in Watertown. During her time at Atrium, she served on the school’s finance committee, school board, and as board chair. She was engaged in short and long-term planning, built a sustainable budget model, and worked collaboratively with more than 20 other members, all while ensuring that the school’s values, students, and stakeholders were at the heart of every decision.

Silvia is a dogged researcher who seeks and reviews available data, listens attentively with an open mind to the perspectives of others, and then with integrity unites the two in a solution that honors both. She is unafraid to be transparent in her thoughts and actions and recognizes that transparency in government builds trust in our leaders and institutions.

I look forward to Silvia serving Sudbury on behalf of our students and community. I truly believe that she will safeguard our investment in one of our greatest community assets, our Pre-K to 8 system of public education.

I urge you to visit Silvia’s web site, engage with her on Facebook, meet her at an event, or reach out to her with questions. I think that you will find, as I have, the integrity with which she will serve and the unique qualifications she holds to serve in this leadership role.

Please join me in voting for Silvia M. Nerssessian on Monday, March 27th.

Nell Forgacs

Former Candidate, Sudbury School Committee