Woburn Candidate Profile: Colleen Cormier For School Committee

WOBURN, MA — Woburn will have several contested races in November's election, including a seven-way race for five school committee seats. Woburn Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Colleen Cormier, 39, is running for school committee, along with Luke Anderson, Patricia E. Chisholm, Ellen Crowley, Andrew Lipsett, Charles Viola and John M. Wells. Cormier lives in Woburn with her husband Steve Troisi and is a pediatric nurse practitioner in juvenile detention facilities and a masters of public health student at UMass Amherst.

Are you running for office in Woburn? Contact Chris Huffaker at chris.huffaker@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Woburn Patch.

Previously on Patch: School Committee Candidate Forum: Contenders Tout Resumes

Woburn Preliminary Election: Galvin, Pedrini Advance

Campaign Website: www.facebook.com/cmcforsc

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

The budget has received much attention this year and rightly so. We need to ensure we have the appropriate funds to sufficiently staff our schools. This will require careful scrutiny of the proposed budget as well as a strong defense of the budget when presented to City Council and the Mayor.

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

My background as a medical provider is unique in this race. I am hoping to support the health and wellness of our students through policy because I believe that the integration of health and wellness with education can improve learning for the whole student.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I will work to communicate and collaborate with the other members of the school committee, students, parents, city council, and mayor's office to ensure our students' needs are being met.

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

I believe my experience in pediatric medicine as well as my personal love of education make me qualified for the School Committee. I will advocate for the best interests of the students, parents, and teachers.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"You should run for School Committee!"

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

I was raised in Woburn, attending the Wyman Elementary, Kennedy Middle, and WMHS where I was a member of the swim team and concert choir. I was a proud member of the Boys and Girls Club where I took part in swim team, Keystone Club, and Junior staff. I have always been invested in the Woburn community and look forward to continuing to support our city. I hope the voters will consider me for one of their 5 votes on November 5th.