Dear Editor:
I’m writing in support of Susan Stephenson and Adam Munroe for our School Committee. I’ve been taking the time to review the statements, the candidate sites, and presentations around town (along with reflecting on the questions asked at town meeting), and am confident that Susan and Adam will add thoughtful voices to our town School Committee.
My mother was a lifelong elementary school educator, and I am appreciative that in her retirement, Susan is willing to give her time to our town to further the educational direction for our students. She’s been on both the delivery and “management” side of a school district and knows the challenges for maintaining quality curriculum, supporting our teachers, and working to deliver a top-ranked system within ever-increasing budgetary challenges. I believe she will be a good advocate in making sure that our teachers and staff have the support they need to further education quality in Hopkinton.
Similarly, Adam’s work within teaching administration gives him a view into creating programming that maximizes services within budget constraints. He’s spent time listening to the needs of parents within town, in particular, talking about the mental health needs of our youth. In that regard, he will bring his highly qualified voice to add to our School Committee and help advocate for early advocacy and action.
On Monday, May 15, please vote! And please consider voting for Adam Munroe and Susan Stephenson for School Committee
Allison Orenstein, Hopkinton
Dear Editor:
I am writing in support of Adam Munroe and Susan Stephenson for Hopkinton School Committee. I have devoted my career to public education and now serve as a Hopkinton Library Trustee because free and equitable access to the development of broad and deep knowledge and skills is the foundation for individual and collective flourishing now and in the future.
Public schools and libraries are the cornerstones of education in every community. Some of the most passionate and carefully considered work that the Library Board of Trustees has engaged in over the past year has been concerted, united efforts to condemn censorship and to shore up policies to protect against its threats. A number of our MA peer districts have had to respond to specific attempts at censorship, which have both threatened freedom to learn and also targeted specific student groups. Considering the efforts I have seen our library and our peer districts compelled to make, Hopkinton needs the same clarity of mind regarding censorship among our School Committee members.
Certainly there are other issues to consider when voting for School Committee members, such as experience in the field of education, broad knowledge of diverse needs of students, and familiarity with the operations of public institutions. On these factors as well as on their adamant stances against censorship, I will be voting for Adam Monroe and Susan Stephenson for School Committee.
Thank you,
Anne Beauchamp, mother of 3 HPS Students
