Question 1: Why are you running for School Committee? What particular skills do you bring to the position?
I have a long track-record of successful academic leadership at my university and at the Carlton Innovation School. I have the passion, enthusiasm, and experience to help Salem develop a more collaborative and forward-thinking district identity. As an academic leader, I am committed to data and process. We understand our failures and successes by sharing and studying data. We build, improve, and correct when we develop strong processes together.
The pandemic has shown us that we can leverage our extraordinary community resources in support of our public schools, and I have two decades of academic experience with bringing folks together in the service of students.
Question 2: The COVID-19 pandemic substantially disrupted education last year and had unequal impacts for different students. What information will you ask district leaders to provide the School Committee to monitor the success of district efforts in 2021-22 to help all students adjust to the new school year and meet their learning goals?
First, we have to applaud our teachers, who had to adjust to new teaching methodologies when the pandemic hit. While we’d hoped that this school year would be a return to normal, our district finds itself having to focus on the threat that the Delta variant poses to our unvaccinated under-12 students and to other vulnerable populations in our school buildings. The health and safety of our students and staff must be the district’s first priority.
That said, we need to meet students where they are as individual learners, helping them to achieve academic success and supporting their social and emotional well-being. MCAS results will give us some insight into where we should focus our energy as a district, but assessment sample groups at each school may help to provide a more holistic picture of student progress during the pandemic. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Ed, during the pandemic students nationally were likely to experience more “learning loss” in math than in reading. Once we know where to focus our energy, we can develop strong strategies to support students.
As a School Committee member, I will look to district leaders and staff to outline a strategy for assessing students’ needs and provide opportunities for consistent reporting.
Question 3: The school district recently adopted a 2-year plan for coordinated high school redesign, covering all three high schools in the district. The success of the plan depends in large part on strong implementation. What will you do as a School Committee member to support the implementation of the high school redesign plan?
It’s the responsibility of the School Committee to provide clear pathways for reporting district progress, and these pathways shouldn’t be limited to School Committee meetings. In order to fully support the redesign efforts School Committee members must commit to visiting school buildings and engaging with students and staff.
Question 4: What is one step you will take as a School Committee member to advance education equity in Salem?
I support instituting quarterly visits by School Community members to various communities throughout the city to help improve communication between families and the district. Many parents and guardians feel uncomfortable speaking in the formal setting of the School Committee chambers. School Committee members can facilitate open communication by being willing to step down from the dais and engaging directly with the communities they have been elected to serve.
To learn more about Beth Anne, visit: https://www.facebook.com/cornell4salem