It’s Official!

My nomination paper signatures are certified, which means I’ll be on the ballot for the upcoming elections for Andover School Committee. I’m excited at the chance to help shape the future of Andover Public Schools.

Over the past few weeks, several of you have asked why I’m running. I have given a lot of thought on how to respond. As a professional with over 20 years’ experience in a corporate setting for one of the most notable brands in healthcare, I get the importance of an “elevator speech” on this type of question. The truth is, though, an elevator speech just won’t cut it.  There are so many reasons why I’m running:

• Community: Since Andover is our home of nearly 11 years, I care about the role of schools in our community.  Like many of you, Andover Public Schools is one of the main reasons we live here.
• Excellence: While Andover Public Schools has a strong reputation, we must constantly strive to do better and continue raising the bar for educational excellence.
• Collaboration: I thrive on collaborating with people. It’s critical to learning, to appreciating different perspectives, and to working towards common goals and priorities.
• Equity: Every student must have equal access to a quality education and be prepared for what tomorrow brings. Educational equity will be a top focus.
• Communication: As a strong communicator, I’ll work to improve transparency in School Committee decision making.
• Service: Helping others is in my DNA.
• Perseverance: I embrace new challenges and enjoy solving complex problems head on.
• Critical Thinking: I’ll approach issues with a critical eye while maintaining a strategic focus balanced with attention to detail. I believe this is how to ensure maximum impact across our community.
• Civic Engagement: On a personal note, I want our daughters to see what passion, commitment, and hard work look like through civic engagement.

I’ll use my voice to represent the needs of parents, students, educators and other stakeholders. And I’d like to begin by hearing from you.

• What do you expect from School Committee leadership?
• What do you think should be the School Committee top priorities/issues to tackle?
  • Short-term?  Long-term?

I’m interested in hearing from all community members. I want to know what you have to say. If you’d be willing to host a meet-and-greet or know of others willing to provide input, please consider signing up (below) or sharing your feedback directly at info@wrightforandover.com.

I look forward to working with and hearing from you!

Sandis