Cugno Seeks Re-Election to School Committee
Name: Ann Marie Cugno
Occupation: Education and Outreach Coordinator, for a non-profit organization.
Family: Married for twenty-four years to my husband, Michael Cugno, mother of four boys, Michael 23, Marcello 18, Massimo and Matteo13 years old.
Office I am seeking: Medford School Committee
Why am I running?:
The reason I am seeking re-election for the Medford School Committee is because over these last six years I have made changes, brought forward new ideas and a fresh attitude. I have not only represented our city, as a Medford School Committee member, but in the different positions that I serve. On the state level I have been honored to serve as the Chair of Division II for the past four years on the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). This year I have been nominated as the Secretary/Treasurer for the MASC Executive Board, a position never held by any Medford School Committee Member. Two years ago when I went to Washington, the purpose was not only to learn what is being done across our country, but to bring back and share my experiences with my colleagues and constituents. Involving myself with MASC I have not only been a board member, it gave me the opportunity to sit down and advocate to our Congressmen and Senators on behalf the State of Massachusetts, but more importantly to advocate for the City of Medford.
By doing so I believe I have given Medford the opportunity to be seated at the political round table to discuss important issues with the rest of the nation. To present us as the city that we are: diverse, intelligent hard working tax payers who want to make sure our children have the best education they need and deserve. We are people and not just a zip code!
What Qualifications/Experience I Will Bring to the Office:
The first and most important qualifications I bring to the position is I am a parent of children who have and are attending our school system. I am a parent who hears what is going on, on an everyday basis. As a former substitute teacher for our public school system and a former teacher for the Medford Family Network I bring both sides of the spectrum to meetings. I have the experience of what goes on from the inside and outside of the system. The last six years of being involved as a Medford School Committee member I have been able to advocate for parents, students and teachers on a local level and on a state level. I have been part of implementing successful and profitable programs for our city. I have organized and coordinated advocacy on topics such as bullying, state aid to our city, environmental protection, energy efficiency, academic support, and athletic/extracurricular opportunity. I have arranged for buses to take Medford citizens to the statehouse to fight for our students and families.
I also serve on the following committees, councils and programs:
MASC Advocacy Committee
MASC Policy Committee
Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for Shore Education Collaborative
Chair for the Medford Buildings and Grounds sub-committee.
MIAA Sports Medicine Committee
McGlynn Elementary, McGlynn Middle School and Medford High School Site Councils
I had the pleasure in implementing many successful programs in our community. Such as;
Co-Chair of “The Energy Smackdown Programâ€, an environmental program to better educate children and adults on environmental and energy issues
Co-founder of The Medford Summertime Program, an affordable all day summer program for children 5 to 12 years old, with the ending balance for all five years in the black.
Co-founder of The Medford Fit for Life 5K, a walk/run in memory of Officer Patrick Fahey which we have been organizing for the past five years. With the profits of the event going towards scholarships to students from both the parochial and public school system, to attend the Medford Summertime Program for free, the week of their choice.
Three Major Issues Facing the City and/or Schools:
1) Technology: Advocating that we become equipped with the proper 21st Century technology. We need to make sure our students can compete with the rest of the world. When speaking of technology we cannot think in the same realm of fixing a roof. Thinking once we have fixed the problem it will be fine for the next 15/20 years. Technology is not a quick fix. It is a fast paced continuously changing system which needs to be addressed every few years.
2) Curriculum, Class Size and Faculty staffing: Making sure to improve curriculum, maintain class sizes and staffing levels.
3) Budget: Advocating for less unfunded mandates and more money both on a local and a state level, sustain current funding levels with an eye on the future.
I can continue with other committee names, titles and programs but the point is for me serving on the Medford School Committee does not begin and end every other Monday night in front of the cameras as if we are on a TV series. Let us not be fooled with 21st Century buzz words such as accountability and transparency. These terms are not new. They are terms which I take very seriously. They are terms which have been around for a long period of time and I have always required the administration to answer completely and timely to the Medford School Committee. I respect the responsibilities that have been entrusted to me by the citizens of Medford. My work is on an everyday basis with or without cameras.
The bottom line is when I lay my head down on my pillow at the end of the day I need to know I have stayed true and honest to myself and the people I represent. I have never been a candidate to promise anything for a vote, or make up accusations and throw out random statements just to give people what they want to hear. I am a candidate who will continue working hard to make constructive changes and continue to advocate on both a local and a state level. I have and will continue working to provide the best for the parents and the students in our school system. I will continue on challenging myself in raising the bar higher for our children’s education here in the City of Medford. I have proved and continue proving I am a candidate with Professionalism, Integrity and Leadership.
I am asking for your vote on Tuesday, November 8th,
Ann Marie Cugno, #1 on the ballot.
Thank you for your continued support.
Ann Marie Cugno
Candidate for re-election to the Medford School Committee
Contact Me
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns by calling my home at 781-396-1783 or emailing me at cugnocares@comcast.net