Parent Group Endorses Candidates

The following announcement was submitted to InsideMedford.com by Advocating for Medford Public Schools:

Advocating For Medford Public Schools Announces School Committee Slate

The sole purpose of Advocating For Medford Public Schools (a4mps) is to assist in the improvement of Medford Public Schools. The group was formed in the summer of 2008; the initial concerns were with the budget crisis the school system was going though. Since those early meetings we have broadened our concerns to the process, which the school system makes decisions, the condition and quality of the instruction and educational programs. It with this in mind we decided to start to attend School Committee meetings and have continued to attend these meetings during our tenure.

As a group we have been keenly interested in this year’s School Committee election. Many members of a4mps attended the meet and greet at the library where we spoke to many of the candidates. We researched the candidate’s backgrounds either via their personal campaign websites, speaking to people in the community, or learned more of their past associations with community organizations. We also attended the School Committee Forum at City hall on October 7.

While we hope you will support our candidates with your vote, we realize it is a democratic process. The candidates we are supporting are committed to working with the community to foster a sense of openness and transparency in regards to the process, procedures, and budgetary concerns of the Medford School District.

We offer these four candidates for your consideration, in alphabetical order:

Incumbents:
Ann Marie Cugno
Paulette Van der Kloot

New Candidates:
John Falco
Sharon Guzik

Ms. Cugno and Ms. Van der Kloot have been involved with establishing the Medford chapter “Stand for Children”. This took an incredible amount of time and determination on both their parts, they have sense of openness, willing to meet with, and be involved with our grass root efforts of improving the schools.

Mr. Falco has volunteered his time at the Medford Family Network and has a professional financial skill set that the School Committee needs in regards to the budgetary crisis we are in. Ms. Guzik is former educator, is a research scientist, and holds leadership positions in organizations for the Friends of the Medford Public Library and the Medford Historical Society. Mr. Falco and Ms Guzik have been involved in our community for years and now ask for your support in helping our children and our schools.

For more on a4mps, please visit our website: www.advocating4mps.org

Editor’s Note: Want to send an endorsement to InsideMedford.com? Email news@insidemedford.com. Editorials that are well-written, refrain from personal insults, and that are signed by an individual and/or know group or organization will receive preference.