I believe that a responsible and transparent budget is one which not only covers expenses for the current school year, but which looks to the future, anticipating expenses such as the need to offer competitive salaries that allow us to attract and retain the best teachers. The current budget deficit is due to a lack of such forward-looking planning in previous years, since the district now finds itself financially unprepared to meet the cost of its newly-negotiated contract with the teacher’s union. As a result, the school administration has started to cut some vital positions and programs that will affect our children.
In order to achieve transparency, the budget should be available for review by December every year. This will allow enough time to do careful analysis and ask for any necessary clarifications.
Finally, I believe all stakeholders - students, teachers, school administrators, and the community - in Sharon have to be united. So, we can all work towards achieving the main objective of achieving student success.
This is why my campaign slogan is “Together for Sharon Schools”. Sharon Public Schools should foster the environment of unity which we hope to see throughout our whole town. Our kids are our future! And we are all truly united in wanting the very best for our precious children. Every student in Sharon Public Schools should feel welcome, included, and valued, because of their unique personalities, abilities and cultures.