As an educator, a parent, and a taxpayer, I understand the competing priorities for Newton citizens. When elected, I will:

1. Promote Excellence in Education

• Foster a culture of positive energy and innovation (engaging students in compelling work to meet state standards, differentiated instruction, foreign language in the elementary schools)
• Identify and disseminate best practices (teacher peer review and coaching, use of performance metrics, accountability, social action projects)
• Hire a superintendent who can execute this vision (set measurable goals, unite staff at all levels around vision, get results) and hold him/her accountable

2. Restore Fiscal Responsibility

• Address the state of deteriorating school buildings according to educational priorities and what we can afford
• Ensure that budgets are based on a long-term plan as recommended by the 2009 Citizen Advisory Group’s (CAG) School Cost Structure report

3. Engage the Community in Our Schools

• Leverage untapped resources among our parent and community base (create electronic parent surveys around key issues, ask for feedback / opinions regularly, engage local universities in providing more direct assistance to schools)
• Increase transparency around School Committee work (post meetings online, use email for two-way communication, hold community meetings that generate new ideas and identify priorities

For more information on Olivia’s priorities for Newton schools, please read her interview with Stand for Children: 2009 Newton School Committee Candidate Survey