Skerry Running for School Committee

InsideMedford.com photo of Robert E. Skerry as a School Committee member in 2009

Robert Emmett Skerry Jr. has announced his candidacy for election to the Medford School Committee this November.

As a candidate for election to the Medford School Committee this November, I want to put my years of experience to work for you and the children of Medford. Guiding our schools through changes to the educational system in the past has required a strong and steady hand, and I will continue to serve as that guiding force in the future. My experience, drive, presence, and commitment to the Medford educational community enable me to achieve success no matter the obstacles. I demand nothing less for our schools.

Education is the cornerstone of a prosperous community, and I will place the highest priority on giving our young Medford citizens every opportunity to achieve their dreams. My school board experience through good times and bad provides the perspective and skill to fix problems, overcome bureaucratic roadblocks, and further the successes our students achieve.

My candidacy includes specific focus on four key areas: budget and programming, student preparedness and opportunity, the role of parents and our community, and standards and accountability.

Budget and Programming. Our school budget is the foundation for successful educational outcomes. Across the nation, financial failings dominate the debate, but we in Medford are fighting to ensure that the hard-earned dollars of Medford’s taxpayers are put to use through sound programs and the enforcement of class-size limits. As a member of the School Committee I will scrutinize expenditures to ensure that school funds are used prudently and in a timely fashion on behalf of and for the benefit of our students. I will require all new programs to substantiate their effectiveness before funding and implementation. I will work tirelessly to increase public-private partnership and expand community relations with institutions of higher learning.

Student Preparedness and Opportunity. I will give voice to those proven programs that enable Medford’s youth to flourish and succeed in today’s world. Our programs must ensure that graduates can compete for jobs, complete advanced education, and continue life-long learning. I will fight to advance educational strategies that support students throughout their schooling and maximize the number of students who graduate from Medford High, not simply with a diploma, but with the ability to compete. In order to open the doors of access to education, I will continue to advocate for remediation programs. No willing student should be denied his or her opportunity for a high school diploma.

Parents and Our Community. As always, I bring the concerns of parents and students to the School Committee table. We all know that parental involvement is crucial to a child’s success in school. I believe that parents and schools must work in unison to create the best environment possible for our children. While parents seek to nurture and protect by nature, they must also respect that the goals and objectives of our professional educators should be embraced rather than undermined. Our PTOs and school councils work tirelessly for our children, and I seek to foster and encourage their endeavors on behalf of our children.

Standards and Accountability. As a member of the School Committee I demand accountability from our school personnel and strongly promote professional development at all levels. We must strive for academic excellence and MCAS mastery by offering advanced tutorials in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English for all students to ensure proficiency and mastery of subject matter. Medford is a diverse community, and our children’s differences must be respected through the implementation of a curriculum tailored to their needs and abilities that will help them excel in state-mandated testing.
The ideal educational experience in Medford prepares our students to start school on a firm footing, encourages them to pursue their educational journeys through high school and beyond, promotes competency and career skills, and instills a lifelong thirst for knowledge. We owe it to future generations to provide the tools needed to face the economic, civic, and social demands of maturity. I will strive to bring the educational interests of our citizens forward in city government when elected in November.

In conclusion, I remain committed to the children and residents of Medford and ask for one of your six votes for School Committee on November 8th. Remember, your voice and vote counts!

– Submitted by Robert Emmett Skerry Jr.