My vision for the Dedham Public Schools is for students who walk through these doors to be active, engaged, and challenged — but also that they feel like they belong and are able build a strong sense of community. When students graduate Dedham High School, they will be well-rounded, ready for their next challenge, but most importantly proud of their journey as a Dedham graduate.

The most important priorities to me are:

Better Pathways for Success Beyond Dedham Public Schools

• To prepare students for “the real world” our schools need to provide well-rounded opportunities that further learning beyond strong academics.
• I will push to grow our career and technical education offerings, as well as experiential learning, earlier in students’ academic careers to provide more pathways to future success when students leave Dedham Public Schools.
• Increasing internships and co-ops will provide hands-on, engaging opportunities where kids can interact with community members, learn important job and soft skills, and allow students to explore a potential future profession.

Increasing Community Engagement

• Our schools should be a gateway into the community, and students should be proud and excited to be involved in the community.
• If elected, I’ll work to ensure that community members are engaged and supportive of the schools, and help to recognize student achievement, as well as support students in extracurricular activities like sports, music, drama, and more, but this can only happen with better community-wide communications from our school department, which I aim to improve on School Committee.

Improving the Student Experience

• As a recent graduate, I know just how important the years from PreK-12 are for children. It’s the time when you make your best friends, have the most fun at recess and in extracurricular activities, when you’re so eager to learn, and the time in life when you have the least worries.
• Of course, this is not always the case for all of our students, and I will always support efforts to make sure our district is working to meet the individual needs of all students. should be meeting kids where they are to improve the student experience for all — in every area possible.
• I will make certain our schools are meeting the needs of students in special education and students with learning disabilities, and strengthen the support networks for their families as well. 
• As a biracial, Latino alum, I am supportive of the School Committee’s goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout Dedham Public Schools, and if elected, I will work with the School Committee and the community to continue to move towards these goals.

Supporting Dedham’s Educators

• Dedham’s educators were instrumental in my time in Dedham Public Schools. I will always push for good faith negotiations with our educators and support contracts that ensure they are fairly compensated for their contributions to our schools.
• We have to maintain support for our support staff and our paraprofessionals, the unsung heroes of our district. It is critical we remain competitive or we will lose them to neighboring districts or other jobs. Paraprofessionals are critical to the provision of special education and our students with individualized education plans and continuing to lose them will have a major impact. Addressing this and strengthening our school workforce are among my top priorities should I be elected to the School Committee.

Building Better Schools for the Future

• New schools increase student opportunities and effort levels, provide new educational tools, and can increase student performance and outcomes.
• Regardless of what the SBRC decides on the Oakdale Project in terms of location and schools, it’s crucial that the schools and town collaborate on a long-term comprehensive plan that finds a path towards ensuring all elementary students are in adequate facilities as soon as possible and ensures capital planning is accounted for. 
• Deferred maintenance has had a negative impact on the educational experience, and we can look at phased renovation projects, like the revamped high school C wing, to bring our buildings up to 21st learning facilities.
• I graduated from the old Avery School and realize a lot of the educational challenges that building posed. I will always lead efforts that ensure our students are learning in the best facilities possible, whether through new construction or renovations that expand the usable lifespan of our buildings.

Smart, Sustainable Budgets

• The school budget is the largest line item in the town’s annual budget. While state funding reimburses a decent amount of expenditures, the school department must work to create strong, sustainable budgets that can withstand financial challenges but puts an emphasis on continuing to expand learning opportunities for children.
• I will actively seek out state funding through earmarks and grants, as well as non-profit or private grants and donations in order to reduce the impact on town taxpayers, while still providing engaging activities for students.

Strengthening Partnerships Within our Government

• School Committee is one of the top boards tasked with policy and spending in our town. The committee has a huge reach, and to accomplish much of what it sets out to do, there has to be thoughtful collaboration with different town boards and committees.
• Currently, the School Committee has a Parks & Recreation subcommittee, but no other subcommittees to engage with other boards.
• If elected, I will propose expanding relations between the School Committee and other town boards and committees in town, including Parks & Recreation, the Select Board, Board of Health, and others, as well as our state and federal governments.
• Given my experience in state government, I will capitalize on opportunities to strengthen relations with other boards and officials who can help continue to move Dedham Public Schools forward.