LETTER: Radnor Moms Support Democrats Vying For RTSD Board Seats

The following letter to the editor was submitted to Patch. Letters to the editor are not written by Patch and do not reflect the opinions of Patch or its employees. Their aim is to foster dialogue around important issues and to give local residents a voice. If you would like to submit a letter, please email Max.Bennett@patch.com and include the Patch site on which you want your letter shared.

To the Editor:

On November 7th, we have the opportunity (and responsibility!) to cast our vote for important local officials, including four open seats on the Radnor Township School Board. In past Radnor Township elections, the difference between winning and losing has come down to fewer than five votes.

As mothers of students in the Radnor Township public schools, we are writing in support of the four Democratic candidates for school board, Andrew Babson (educational policy expert & lecturer), Sarah Dunn (corporate attorney), Lydia Solomon (school psychologist), and Susan Stern (business manager). These candidates will bring significant educational expertise, integrity, careful judgment, and fiscal understanding to the board.

Incumbent candidates, Lydia Solomon and Susan Stern, have worked collaboratively with other board members on successful endeavors including full-day kindergarten, the hiring of our new superintendent, and the early settlement of a five-year teacher contract. As board members, they have consistently focused on what is best for students and the community – not on partisan politics.

New candidates, Andrew Babson and Sarah Dunn, will bring much-needed policy, communication, and legal expertise to the board, plus the forward-thinking energy our children deserve. Radnor schools are not insulated from shifting educational policies at the national and state level; we need school board members who will understand the local implications, plan for the future, and champion public education no matter what comes our way.

As parents, we naturally want our children to have the best education possible. We also appreciate that excellent school districts are associated with higher housing values, reduced crime, better health, more developed infrastructure, and greater civic participation – all mom-approved! But dare we say it? We are more than just moms. Among us are a professor of education, pediatric nurse, medical/science writer, and marketing professional. We pay taxes and want our tax dollars spent wisely. Achieving this fine balance of “practical progress” is a challenge. For this reason, we are proud to endorse a smart, qualified, fully-engaged school board slate who will put our children and our community first, not political party affiliation. Together, Andrew, Sarah, Lydia, and Susan will marshal their diverse and extensive expertise to ensure that tax dollars are efficiently used and Radnor public schools continue to thrive.

Jennifer Adams, EdD
Wayne, PA

Merrilee Johnstone, PhD
Wayne, PA

Gretchen MacKenzie
Wayne, PA

Shobha Sharma, CRNP
Wayne, PA

Patch file photo