BCAT News

The following is a letter to the editor and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of BNEWS. 

It’s with great excitement that I’m writing in support of Jeremy Brooks and Aaron Reeves for School Committee.

We’ve been raising our family in Burlington for decades, andhave children across age ranges from post-graduates down to the elementary level. Our family’s experience has mostly been good, and we appreciate the teachers who’ve brought so much to the students in our family. That said, we’ve witnessed some highs and lows of this School Committee and administration.

The leadership this last year has grown increasingly out of touch and seemingly hostile to parents. Jeremy Brooks has been a breath of fresh air and has shown greater inclination to listen to parents than his School Committee peers. He asks clarifying questions of the Superintendent and administration, while the other members seem aggravated by the efforts at oversight as they attempt to rush through business. Jeremy is a parent himself and represents families better than some others for that reason.

Jeremy does the work while others appear to be going through the motions. That’s increasingly clear to anyone who has read the School Committee evaluations for the Superintendent. Jeremy’s evaluations of the Superintendent have provided critical and constructive feedback to the Superintendent in a respectful tone. Compare that with others on the committee who appear to just check boxes and give the highest ratings possible while coloring their written commentary on the Superintendent’s performance with glowing adjectives. This type of feedback gives the Superintendent little cause or incentive to improve operations or communication with families. Jeremy deserves another term, but changes need to be made to the makeup of the committee for it to improve.

Aaron Reeves is the challenger who has gained our family’s attention. He’s a newcomer to town government, but has shown the greatest motivation of this year’s two challengers. He’s been communicative in asserting a vision for the district that would restore focus to academics and improve standardized benchmarks that have failed to return to pre-pandemic levelslocally. Aaron has articulated his policy priorities and attempted to engage stakeholders in a way the other challenger hasn’t. He’s held weekly coffee hours and been proactive in getting his name known in the community.

Please join me this Saturday, April 11th by casting one vote for the experience Jeremy Brooks will bring back to the School Committee for another term, and another vote for Aaron Reeves to help move the district forward.

Thank you.

Ismael Valentin

Shady Lane Drive