Newton Teachers Association Endorses
Kathy Shields and Shawn Fitzgibbons for School Committee.
This year, at least four and possibly five of the eight Newton School Committee members will be new: Next January, we will have a very different school committee. Yet three of the School Committee members will take their new seats in uncontested elections.
This means that the final composition of the new school committee very much comes down to the two contested elections: In Ward 6, two new candidates, Shawn Fitzgibbons and Paul Levy, are running for the seat currently held by Ruth Goldman; in Ward 7, Valerie Pontiff is running against incumbent Kathy Shields.
On September 9, 2021, the NTA Representative Assembly voted to endorse the candidacies of Shawn Fitzgibbons in the Ward 6 School Committee election, and of incumbent Kathy Shields in the Ward 7 School Committee election.
Shawn Fitzgibbons balances a clear and broad vision for the Newton Public Schools with an ability to understand and master the details of overseeing a complex school system. Shawn is an advocate for equity in the Newton Public Schools, prioritizing an academically excellent education for ALL Newton Public School students. Shawn supports continuing and broadening NPS anti-racism initiatives. He is a strong supporter of our Special Education and English Language Learner programs. And Shawn understands that the backbone of the Newton Public Schools are the members of the Newton Teachers Association, who work tirelessly every day to provide an exceptional education to every Newton Public School student. In his role as Chair of the Newton Democratic Committee, Shawn was a strong union supporter: a vocal advocate against outsourcing custodial work, and a strong advocate in the Newton Teachers Association’s campaign for a fair contract.
Kathy Shields is a thoughtful, conscientious, and dedicated leader who, both in her career and in her role as a School Committee member, is dedicated to public service. Kathy is an advocate for equity in the Newton Public Schools, prioritizing an academically excellent education for ALL Newton Public School students. Kathy supports continuing and broadening NPS anti-racism initiatives. She is a strong supporter of our Special Education and English Language Learner programs. Kathy is a great communicator: She listens with an open mind, is clear and transparent when she speaks, and when she disagrees, she does so constructively rather than divisively. For Kathy, collaboration is a priority. In a School Committee that will see many changes this year, her experience, dedication, and oversight will be a critical steadying force.
(From the NTA press release.)
If you live in Newton, please (1) vote for these NTA endorsed candidates, (2) share this information with friends and neighbors, and (3) respond to this email if you would like to volunteer to support Shawn and/or Kathy's campaigns.
Regards,
Mike Zilles, President
Newton Teachers Association