School Committee Candidate Ann Marie Cugno

Ann Marie Cugno, Medford School Committee, Vice-Chairperson

My name is Ann Marie Cugno. I am serving my second term now as the Vice-Chairperson on the Medford School Committee. I am the Vice Chair for the Division II, Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Medford representative on the Shore Collaborative Executive Board and also a member of their finance committee. I have been a life long resident in the city and a graduate of the Medford Public School system. I graduated from the University of Lowell earning my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Foreign Languages and Criminal Justice. My husband, Michael Cugno and I have four wonderful boys that range from the ages of twenty-one years old to eleven years old. Three out of the four attend the Medford Public School System. Our eldest is a Medford High School graduate and is now in his senior year at Assumption College.

I have been a PTO member in one capacity or another for the past seventeen years. I am a member of the McGlynn K-8 and the Medford High Schools Site Councils. I was appointed to the Phase III rebuilding committee, a committee formed to better the life of the Medford High School community and to implement physical changes to the buildings.

This candidacy was never a political career move; it was a personal move to be involved in making decisions and policies that will also affect the people I treasure the most, my children and the people in my community. I take pride and joy in this city.

When I first ran for this position many people I spoke to kept on saying, “great we need a change.” “We need someone with children in the system” I have come to believe I am that person. I have brought changes, fresh ideas and a new attitude.

Personally I do not consider the campaign trail an obligation to fulfill a few months before election. For me campaigning is proving myself in the two year span during my term in what I have accomplished for both parents and children in our school system. To be rewarded by the people in this city in re-electing me onto the school committee.

In these last four years, I am proud to say, I am a co-founder and member of our newly formed Stand for Children Medford Chapter. A lobbying committee formed by parents working with other communities in our state in advocating more funding towards our educational system. I have worked on an anti-bullying bill with Representative Donato and former Senator Jarrett Barrios.

I Co-Chaired with Representative Carl Sciortino in a pilot program for Energy Smackdown. A project incorporating a reality contest between Arlington, Cambridge and Medford families, bringing energy awareness and education to the for front on carbon footprint. I have been a member and teacher for the Medford Family Network and now working as a substitute teacher in a nearby community. Within the last four years, I have had the pleasure as a Medford School Committee member to be involved in implementing many successful programs and projects in our community. Such as, Co-founder along with Medford City Counselor, President Breanna Lungo-Keohn and George Scarpelli, The Medford Summertime Program, an affordable all day summer program for children 5 to 12 years old. Co-founder of The Medford Fit for Life 5K, again with Medford City Councilor, President Breanna Lungo Keohn and Kristin Howell a Brooks elementary school teacher. Which I am ecstatic to say the walk has brought in 48 scholarships over the last three years to boys and girls from both the parochial and the public school system to attend The Medford Summertime Program for one week of their choice.

As adults when we speak of our city, we think of city officials, new schools, and the diversity of the people. The bottom line is our reputation manifests itself in a variety of ways. Life is nothing but a circle, the children we raise and grow to become adults are the adults that someday come back to this city we call Medford and become our leaders. We need to be able to give our children the 21st century education they not only need, but deserve.

I have always stated that I cannot promise what tomorrow will bring, but what I can promise is that I will continue on working to better our schools, our community and most importantly to challenge myself in raising the bar even higher when it pertains to our children’s education. I’m a candidate who has and will roll up my sleeves to work on many new and fresh projects.

That is why I am asking for your vote on Tuesday, November 3rd, Cugno, number 2 on the ballot. Thank you for your support.