One Year In: Green, Sommer Discuss Life On School Committee

This may not be something perspective members want to hear, but being on the School Committee requires a lot of time. At least that’s what both David Green and Jack Sommer said recently when talking about their first year on the panel. Both were elected in November 2010.

“There’s a good deal more time than I think people recognize that’s involved in the whole process,” said Green, a chemist by training who moved into human resources and retired in 2008 from Textron. “It’s more like a part-time job.”

He continued, “There’s an awful lot of items that require review. Decisions we make we don’t make in a cavalier fashion. So despite sometimes if feels like, oh my gosh, this meeting’s going to go forever - hopefully we’re not discussing or debating or sometimes even arguing over things that are inconsequential. This committee takes its charge very seriously and there’s time involved in doing that, whether it's at these individual meetings or subcommittee meetings.”

Sommer came to the committee having already served on the schools’ Finance Committee for three years. Still, the Finance Committee is an advisory panel, so his move to the School Committee meant a move to the inside. That move, of course, brought more decision-making power, but also with more voter feedback - both good and ill.

“People get snippets of information,” said Sommer, a mortgage advisor for Bank of America. “They sometimes react prior to getting all the facts. Most of the time, in my experience, they’re okay once they hear the story.”

He continued, “It’s just the combating the misinformation is half the battle. Generally speaking if you can get the word out and get the truth out, people are much more comfortable with what is actually going on.”

Both men agreed that members of the committee work well together, which may well come in handy with what promises to be a difficult budget season next spring and the expiration of the teachers' contract in the summer.

“I think it’s a good, thoughtful committee,” said Sommer. “I think it’s very honest and open with one another. I think it’s a good working group.”

“Just by the luck of the election, it’s a very eclectic group,” said Green. “It brings together almost seven different perspectives, in terms of experience, background, profession and what not,” said Green. "We don’t always agree in one universal voice, but we usually are able to come to consensus. Is this going to improve kids education or not? If that answer’s yes, then that usually stops the conversation.”

Sommer said there’s been a lot to learn over the past year. “Procedurally no,” he said, “but from a knowledge perspective I think I’ve learned quite a bit.

Green, who’s science background proved helpful to fellow members during discussions about repairing Meadowbrook, seems happy in his work.

“It’s been really rewarding. It’s well worth the time if you’re interested in the educational system,” he said. “There’s an awful lot of good people who are trying to go in the right direction and being part of trying to steer that is rewarding.”