The Vote for School Committee is March 7. Who Are You Voting For?
This year’s annual town election is set to take place on March 7, where Lexingtonians will vote on critical town government positions and Town Meeting Members. There is only one town-wide position, however, where an incumbent is facing any challenger: the School Committee. Lexingtonians will vote on up to two of the three candidates to serve a three-year term. The candidates include School Committee Vice-Chair Eileen Jay; Lexington Public Schools School Health Advisory Council Co-Chair and Lexpride Board Member Larry Freeman; and Harvard undergraduate and LHS alumnus Salvador Jaramillo.
The Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) hosted a candidate forum featuring the three candidates. In his opening statement, Larry Freeman laid out his experience in town government, school site councils, and political engagement, emphasizing his belief that “education is the great equalizer.” He believes that Lexington Public Schools should implement “management systems” to promote self-care and cope with stress.
Salvador Jaramillo shed light on his “fresh perspective” as a recent graduate of the LPS system. As a school committee member, he would institute “counselor check-ins”, new graduation requirements to allow more breaks in the school schedule, and help make transitioning between middle school and high school easier. Eileen Jay, the incumbent, spoke about her leadership experience and the work she’s done as a Harvard Graduate School of Education alumuna. “Caring, compassion, and listening” are crucial for any school district, she said.
The Lexington Perspectives Team prepared a questionnaire for all three candidates to fill out. We hope this is a useful tool for undecided, curious voters to make an informed decision. With the pandemic still affecting learning and LPS’s shifting demographics, it’s important you vote and make your voice heard. Here are the candidates’ responses to the questionnaire:
What position(s) do you currently hold in town government?
Larry Freeman: “Town Meeting Member PCT1, Human Rights Committee, School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) – Co-Chair, Harrington Elementary School Site Council – Co-Chair, Clarke Middle School Site Council, Clarke Middle School PTO Board Member, LPS DEI Community Input Team, Strategic Equity Advisory Team, Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee”
Salvador Jaramillo: “Town Meeting Member Precinct 5, Executive Action Committee - Precinct Officer”
Eileen Jay: “Lexington School Committee, Chair (2018-2020); Vice-Chair (2020-present); Town Meeting Member, Precinct 4”
If you could summarize your campaign in one word, what would it be and why?
LF (Larry Freeman): “Advocacy - My wish is that any student graduating from Lexington High School be accepted into any school of their choice and be academically and socially competitive. Lexington is known for its high performing schools and to maintain that designation, we must be prepared to keep pushing the needle forward to keep pace with ever changing global expectations. No longer alone, will the traditional educational standards prepare our students for the future. My experience working with numerous committees and programs at all levels of the Lexington Public School System has prepared me to make positive contributions as a member of the Lexington Public School Committee.”
SJ (Salvador Jaramillo): “Perspective. I believe a diverse range of perspectives are needed to help address and overcome challenges we face as a town and school district. As a candidate from a younger generation who is a recent graduate of the Lexington Public Schools, I have the ability to approach problems and decisions from a very different angle than my counterparts. For many years we have discussed addressing issues with mental health, overcrowding, and the curriculum, and as someone who has lived those issues, I believe I can provide valuable insights on our policy and spending decisions.”
EJ (Eileen Jay): “Compassion. I’ve always been motivated by a desire to do what’s best for students. As an educator, of course I want to create the best learning experience for students. However, I’m especially compelled by my caring for students’ mental health and well-being. When my children were at LHS, I realized how much unhealthy stress and pressure students experience. It wasn’t just about doing well in their coursework, but there was an unrelenting culture of pressure to excel in academics and extracurriculars to enhance their resumes and get into good colleges. As far back as 2008, I began working with others to raise awareness about student stress by organizing community events, teen/parent dialogues, book and film talks, and special events for particular groups like our Asian American students. In 2014, I was the lead author of a report to make recommendations to Lexington Public Schools about reducing student stress. All of this work is part of what led me to run for the School Committee in 2016. For many years, I have been part of the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) to continue to work on health and wellness issues in the schools, and now serve as a member of the LGBTQ Subcommittee. In seeking re-election for the School Committee, I intend to continue my work on these issues for the sake of our students’ social, emotional, and mental health.”
Why are you running for the Lexington School Committee? What unique experiences/skills would you bring as a committee member?
LF: “I’m especially motivated to run now to bring attention to the need for equitable and inclusive curricula, which are essential to maintaining the academic excellence of our entire school system. I will focus on the overwhelming need for the school experience to include mental health and social growth of every student. I have the experience, professional training, and skills to bring a systematic approach to problem solving, a listen-and-learn mentality, and a collaborative approach to my work in Lexington. I believe that our ability to deal with the many challenges–including the pandemic–facing the LPS system is strengthened when we are transparent about successes and failures.”
SJ: “I am running because I believe we can benefit from a fresh perspective on the Lexington School Committee. For many years Lexington students have faced increased academic and social pressures, and the pandemic has only served to exacerbate issues with mental health, the curriculum, and the culture within our schools. As an older brother and tutor here in Lexington, I care about these issues not only because I was directly affected by them, but because I understand what is at stake for the future generation of our town and nation. As a former homeless student at LHS who now attends Harvard University, I understand the successes and weaknesses of our school system. I believe that combining my experience working for Congress, being a Town Meeting member, and a COVID-19 researcher at Mass. General Hospital will all prove to be integral to my work and insight as a School Committee member. We need someone on the School Committee who understands what it means to be on the other side of the classroom and who understands what a 21st-century education looks like. Lexington is a community that leads by example, and as a School Committee member, I want to do my part in maintaining that reputation. I am ready to step up to the plate and give back to a town and school district that has given me so much.”
EJ: “I am running for the Lexington School Committee because I am passionate about providing an exciting and stimulating education for our students and I really care about students’ mental health and well-being. These are the reasons I ran six years ago in 2016, and now I am running for re-election to a third term because I want to continue working to help students—both academically and emotionally. The unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that I bring are as a current School Committee member, a professional educator, and as a parent. With six years of experience on the School Committee, including two years as Chair and two as Vice-Chair, I bring the experienced leadership, stability and proven capability needed to help guide our schools as we face the challenges ahead. I already have extensive knowledge of our school system, its operations, and the important school issues, which will make me the most effective candidate in doing the work. I know the practical details of finance, operations, budgeting, and facilities planning which positions me best to face both our immediate needs, like prioritizing in-person learning while maintaining safety as the pandemic evolves, and upcoming needs, like planning for a new or renovated high school. Professionally, I’m an educator with a Doctorate in Education from Harvard, who has worked as an educational researcher and co-authored books and articles on education. I am passionate about education and bring my vision and expertise to my role on the School Committee. Some of the educational changes I’d like to implement include allowing more flexibility of course choices at LHS to encourage students to study what they are passionate about, looking at graduation requirements that will permit more flexibility, redefining measures of success, making learning more connected to real world problems, and allowing for more student agency in their learning. As a parent of two children who attended LPS from K-12, I’ve been actively involved with and know our entire school system at all grade levels very well. I have known and talked with many students over the years and have gained a perspective of what has worked well and what hasn’t for my own children and for their peers.”
What do you believe is the biggest issue that Lexington faces? How would you approach and solve the issue?
LF: “Having two children in our school system and married to an essential worker, our family like many have experienced the mental health and stress impacts of COVID in every part of our lives. We as a school system must not only recognize but remediate the escalating problems of student stress and mental health issues. This well-documented problem existed prior to the pandemic and has only escalated since. Our ability to manage mental health and stress issues is strengthened when we actually listen to what student[s] say they need and then provide that support. Teaching our students about the importance of academic excellence is a given, but we must also teach them that mental health and stress management is a priority as well.”
SJ: “I believe the biggest issue that Lexington faces as a whole is affordability. The cost of living in Lexington has increased significantly over the years and it stands to interfere with our educational and community goals, especially as it pertains to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school budget makes up more than 74% of the town budget and therefore has a direct impact on the cost of living in Lexington. We need to do everything in our power to keep Lexington accessible to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. As a school committee member one of my top priorities will be sustainability, which involves making hard decisions on the need and allocation of discretionary spending. I wholeheartedly believe that we can make smart budget decisions without compromising the quality of education, however, it will involve proactive and holistic dialogue within our own community. From technology purchases to the planning of a new high school building, I believe it is important to gauge how every decision we make on the School Committee will affect the learning and needs of our students both in and outside of the classroom.”
EJ: “I actually think that the two biggest issues that Lexington faces are diversity, equity, and inclusion, and helping with student mental health related to the pandemic and in general. I will address these two issues in subsequent questions in response to the optional questions below. Here I will discuss the issue of building a new high school which will be a challenging issue for the Town. We definitely need a new or renovated high school. The current buildings are old, will need updated infrastructure like HVAC systems, and don't meet current standards for security or for 21st Century learning. The first thing we must do is to come up with an educational plan that meets the high school's needs. This is an opportunity to ask questions like: Do we want to keep departments separated or do we want a more interdisciplinary structure? What do we want in terms of technology and maker spaces? How can we make our spaces more flexible for multiple uses or reconfiguration as needs change? The School Committee will play a big role in the educational planning, design and construction process, and financing of a new or renovated high school. I have been on the School Committee through the financing and construction process for two new schools—Hastings Elementary and Lexington Children’s Place preschool. This experience will be an asset as we enter into the construction of a new high school. The biggest challenge will be the financing of such a large project. We are fortunate that LPS is likely to receive some state funding for this project, but the tax burden on Lexington residents will still be great. We will need people on the School Committee who can work with the community in explaining the need for a new high school. I have the knowledge and experience to help with that aspect of communication. We must do financial planning to relieve some of the burden on taxpayers. The Town is doing its part in prudent financial planning. I am on the Financial Guidelines Working Group, along with town representatives, that is working on finding ways to set aside money in funds that will help mitigate some of the tax burden. Ultimately, the voters of Lexington will decide whether or not to fund the high school through tax increases.”
Supplemental Questions
These questions were entirely optional and did not require a response in order to submit the questionnaire.
The School Committee is responsible for finding and appointing a superintendent. What qualities, skills, and experiences would you look for in Dr. Hackett's future successor?
LF: “The most important quality required in a superintendent is the love of children and education. One of many skills required is understanding that education goes beyond just academics. Truly listening to student voices and promoting programs that will ensure that every student is able to reach their full potential are essential. Dr. Hackett’s successor must have a proven track record of embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion and have an open mind to feedback from students, teachers, and parents alike.”
SJ: “I believe Dr. Hackett has done a great job at serving and leading the Lexington Public Schools during her time as the superintendent, and I certainly hope that she will choose to remain in the district for the coming years. With that said, it is the responsibility of the School Committee to select a new superintendent when there is a vacancy. As a School Committee member I would advocate for a superintendent that not only has a proven record of leading other school districts, but has a record of adapting and overcoming challenging/controversial decisions. The superintendent has to be a decisive leader, and I believe it is important for someone to not only have the experience, but also the ability to look at issues from different angles and listen to different perspectives. The Lexington Public Schools is one of the best school districts in the nation, and we would need a candidate who prioritizes maintaining academic excellence and Lexington's reputation as a leader in education. Given, our mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion here in Lexington, I would also select a candidate that embodies those goals and would work hard to keep Lexington a place where all people, no matter their background[,] are welcome and accepted within our schools.”
EJ: “I was on the School Committee at the time we hired Dr. Hackett, and I was Co-Chair of the Superintendent Search Committee that was tasked with finding and screening superintendent candidates. We were very fortunate to be able to hire Dr. Hackett who possesses all of the qualities, skills, and characteristics of an excellent superintendent. In searching for our next superintendent, I would look for excellent communications skills, an ability to relate well with people, and the capacity to collaborate productively with a wide variety of stakeholders. It’s important to be able to listen to all perspectives, but then be willing to make informed decisions and take responsibility for the ultimate decisions made. Being a superintendent requires leadership skills, including supervising personnel and doing day-to-day management of school operations, budgeting, and oversight. I personally like to see that a superintendent has a vision for education who can set the school district on an effective course and who can be an educational leader to his or her staff. Ideally, we would have a leader who is willing to innovate and work on continuous improvement of our school system. We are fortunate to have in Dr. Hackett a superintendent who has these skills. I hope we would be so lucky in finding her successor.”
With Black History Month finally here, what do you propose to make the LPS curriculum include diversity, promote equity, and be more inclusive?
LF: “A more diverse curriculum is long overdue in Lexington. I propose that diversity be incorporated as a standard part of our education system, not only during specific cultural events. We live in a town with tremendous cultural resources that are willing to partner with Lexington Public Schools, and we should embrace those opportunities.”
SJ: “I believe African American history should be incorporated into the LPS curriculum, not only during Black History Month, but throughout the entire curriculum of LPS students. We can learn a lot about humanity from our history as a country. I believe we can do a better job to provide our students the necessary civic and history education that gives them the tools to understand the challenges we face as a country and society. Given how diverse we are as a community, we also should strive to include all histories and cultures within the curriculum and really help students of various racial, religious, and gender [backgrounds] to feel that they are included. It is very important for students to find their own identity within the context of their studies and I think this will be something I will enthusiastically work on as a School Committee member.”
EJ: “I’m very excited to report that LPS is currently working on developing a K-12 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion curriculum across all grades and disciplines. The curriculum will incorporate the histories and stories of all groups and create a culture of belonging. Students will learn about the histories, stories, and contributions of ethnic groups including Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, and Latinos, as well as other groups representing religious, gender identities, disabilities and neurodiversity. The curriculum will help provide the windows for students to understand other cultures and identities, and the mirrors for students to see themselves reflected. It’s important for these histories to be integrated as part of the regular curriculum for all students. Social studies classes will include discussion of important events and contributions; English classes will include readings from diverse perspectives; music, art and science classes will include the contributions of important people from different backgrounds. In addition to the comprehensive curriculum, LHS is offering social studies electives on African American studies and Asian American studies. Another part of the DEI curriculum will center around talking with students about understanding their own identities and cultures. Young students will start by learning about their own families and their own identities. They’ll learn about other people’s identities and how to understand differences and similarities among people. At later grades, they’ll talk about accepting all people and recognizing inequalities and injustices and how to stand up for one another. This DEI curriculum will empower students to understand issues of social justice and will help to create a true culture of belonging.”
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the way of life for Lexingtonians. Do you agree with how the town responded to COVID-19, especially in regards to schools and education? What would you have done differently?
LF: “I believe that decisions that were made at the beginning of the pandemic were based on the limited scientific information available. Previous decisions were made out of an abundance of safety. It is easy to recognize now, the unforeseen consequences of the decisions that were made. Looking forward, I know the importance of schools being open and maintaining an educational structure as close to normal as possible is essential. Students and teachers, are all recovering from the impact of COVID-19. Knowing all that we know now, I understand the need to follow all possible safety protocols to keep our schools, recreational activities, and clubs open and available.”
SJ: “I believe we have a great School Committee and Superintendent in Lexington, and that they were challenged with making unprecedented decisions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I think we can all agree that there were some mistakes and controversial decisions made by the district and the town when it came to balancing safety and education here in Lexington. I believe there was more than could have been done in the discussion of the return to in-person learning and having contingency plans for potential surges of COVID-19 like we saw with Omicron. We do not get to choose the times we live in, but what we do get to choose is how we respond to it, and so I believe it is important to learn from our mistakes and find a path forward. As a School Committee member, I would hope to be more preemptive as opposed to reactive to the COVID-19 pandemic and stress the importance of outreach and conversation. We are well into two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and now have tools at our disposal to keep our students, staff, and residents safe , which we didn't have at the very beginning of the pandemic. We need to have conversations about the impacts of masks on students, especially students with special needs; we need to have conversations about the curriculum and how we are going to help fill in the gaps that many students faced as a result of remote learning; we need to have conversations about how we are going to adapt to the pandemic and establish guidelines to how we will do our best to return to a sense of normalcy. As a School Committee member I hope to facilitate and drive these conversations, not because they are easy, but because they are very much needed for the future [of] our town and students.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated issues of mental health and many students are feeling burnt out — which is only made worse by LHS's highly competitive environment. What specific strategies would you implement to tackle this issue?
LF: “LPS must double efforts in supporting students, teachers, and families by providing teachers with the best possible personal protection equipment, so that they are safe and feel safe educating our students in the classroom. I support adding mental health professionals and support staff all dedicated to supporting the mental health needs of our student body. Since the pandemic has impacted the lives of entire families, LPS should be partnering at an unprecedented level with the Town to ensure that as LPS supports the mental health of the student population, the entire family is supported as well. As a school committee member, I will support any actions that are competent in meeting the mental health need, and that include benchmarks and are agile enough to adjust to ensure objectives are achieved.”
SJ: “As a LHS student who graduated in the middle of the pandemic and understands not only the consequences of the pandemic on mental health, but also the pressures and stresses that go along with Lexington's competitive environment, this is something that I can directly relate to. I wholeheartedly believe that there are ways to address mental health without sacrificing academic excellence and exploration. We must acknowledge is that there is no simple solution to this problem, it involves tackling mental health from different perspectives and experiences, and I think the perspective that has been largely missing is the voices of students who face it first hand. We as a community need to promote more awareness about the mental health resources that are available to students, which means being honest and upfront about it in the classroom. Teachers and school staff need to be trained and well-versed in the allies and resources that are available to students: there must always be a door open where a student feels that they could go to and be listened to. We need to stress the importance that success is not defined by how well you are able to replicate the same grade or class load as your peers, but rather how you find your own path and pursue your own interests and passions. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in different ways, and we must do everything we can to make sure we can to address the needs of our students, parents, and staff.”
EJ: “We know that there have been mental health concerns that have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions in schooling. It seems that, in many ways, the full-time return to school this year has been at least as difficult, if not more so, than the 2020-21 pandemic year. The mental health effects of the pandemic are happening to students everywhere, not just in Lexington. While all students are affected, there is variation in mental health effects on individual students, with some able to adjust well and others who need more support. One thing that I think we need to do as a school system is to find ways to identify students who need help. We have counselors and social workers who can notice when individual students need help and provide support for them, but they can't always be available to attuned to every student. It might also be helpful to have training for classroom teachers and staff to learn how to pick up on signals of anxiety, stress, academic issues, and social difficulties so that students can be directed to the support they need. It is true all the time, but especially during crisis times, that students need a trusted adult in their lives both inside and outside of school. In school, forming a relationship with a trusted adult who cares and shows kindness can go a long way in making individual students feel connected. Formal structures like the LHS advisories are an attempt at this but don’t always create the needed connections between students and faculty. It’s often best to foster informal organic relationships between students and adults and let students know that there is someone who cares. I know that when they are there, the therapy dogs are a hit. It’s clear that there’s a need to have some relief from the stress and anxiety and find comfort in being around animals and provide students some joy and relaxation. I believe that it would help all students if we can bring some more normalcy to schools and to social interactions with peers. As the pandemic evolves, hopefully, there will be more opportunities to renew some typical routines and increase occasions for social contact and interaction. For many students, there has been too much reliance on technology for social contact and not enough in-person interaction. At the high school, people are working on bringing back in-person social events, like prom and All-Night Graduation, that students can look forward to. Perhaps we can continue to look for more opportunities for bringing students together as well. We know that the mental health impacts of the pandemic may take time to play out. We must recognize this and use whatever resources we have to help our students. Their long-term well-being is of the utmost importance. Hopefully, we can also continue to provide opportunities to bring more normalcy back into school and, especially, more chances for students to socialize with each other and find happiness both inside and outside of school.”
Robust communication and accessible resources are vital to collaboration between the committee, teachers, parents, and students. What strategies would you employ to make the committee more effective at addressing issues raised by the community?
LF: “As a School Committee Member, I will promote an increased level of transparency and support more engagement with all parties. Asking questions and encouraging feedback from students, teachers, and the community will lead to a collaborative resolution. While we may not all agree on every issue, we all do share a common desire that all LPS students reach their full potential.”
SJ: “Conversation. Nothing beats reaching out to people and having a face to face conversation about issues and resources. It is important that when we do have conversation, especially on the School Committee, that we push ourselves to answer the tough questions and make sure that the voices and opinions of everyone within the district are heard and considered. As a School Committee member I hope to be engaged with the community and actively meet with various members of our community on a regular basis in order to make sure that I am current with the issues that students, parents, and residents care about. I also think that I am especially well positioned to have conversations with the younger generation of our town and really be a resource with students and their concerns. As a district, we all need to be on the same page, and I believe that I am the best candidate to bridge all individuals within our own LPS community.”
To learn more about the candidates, visit their campaign websites here:
Eileen Jay: https://www.jayforschoolcommittee.com/2022/
Larry Freeman: https://www.freeman4lexington.com/home
Salvador Jaramillo: https://www.salvadorforlexington.com/platform
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by HENRY HAN