Burlington Candidate Profile: Incumbent Carl Foss For School Committee

BURLINGTON, MA — The Town of Burlington's Annual Town Election is on April 1.

The offices on the ballot are: Moderator, Select Board, Assessor, School Committee, Library Trustee, Planning Board, Board of Health, Housing Authority, Recreation Commission, Shawsheen Tech H.S. Committee and Town Meeting Members.

The Town of Burlington website has a list of candidates, in addition to samples of ballots for each of the seven precincts: Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 3, Precinct 4, Precinct 5, Precinct 6, Precinct 7.

Here is more information about the upcoming election.

Patch is profiling some of the candidates. Here, we learn more about Carl Foss, an incumbent who is running to retain his seat on the School Committee. Foss, fellow incumbent Katherine Bond and challenger Jeremy Paul Brooks are running for two open seats.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Carl Foss

Campaign website

fossforus.us

Age

42

Office sought

School Committee

Family

Married with 2 kids at Pine Glen

Education

BA from Boston University, MA from UMass Lowell

Occupation

Teacher for 15 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office

Town Meeting 2019-2020, School Committee 2020-present

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking to be reelected to the School Committee in order to bring my unique perspective, balanced viewpoint and creative mindset to the committee. I would like to continue to help oversee the Burlington Public Schools. There are so many wonderful aspects to the district that should be continued. There are also challenges that need addressing. I can work with a diverse School Committee to help steer Burlington Public Schools in the right direction.

Describe the issues that define your campaign platform

We need to provide continued support to the students' academic and social/emotional challenges. Burlington does a lot to help students in these areas, but with the students' needs increasing in various areas, it is the school committee's role to support the funding programs and staff to provide all students with what they need to succeed and thrive in school. School building projects are ongoing. Careful planning and keen oversight of these projects will be crucial to successfully completing these projects. Communication between the district and all stakeholders is an area for improvement.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My background and experience give me a unique perspective that adds a lot to the committee. My experience within the schools gives me a viewpoint the other candidates do not have. I am on the front lines every day delivering quality education to students. That perspective helps me to identify ways to improve upon Burlington's successes. I am actively involved in the issues and trends that face our schools today and I know how to best support all stakeholders so we can all help all our students reach their full potential.

If you are an incumbent, how long have you served in this position and what are your major accomplishments while in office?

This was my first term and the committee has had several areas of success in that time. We helped navigate the trials of operating a school district during a pandemic and Burlington was able to face that challenge more successfully than many surrounding districts. We oversaw the creation and hiring of the position of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which was a first step toward truly living the ideals we have as a district. We brought a new food service vendor onboard with hugely positive reviews thus far.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My experience as a father of two children currently enrolled at Pine Glen, my 15 years as an educator and my experience during my first term on the committee combine to give me a unique perspective. My first two years on the committee were anything but routine, but this past year has been more typical. It is almost like two different terms but the combination has given me an outlook to continue the upward trajectory of BPS as well as face the ongoing challenges to the district.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have a passionate belief in the power of public education to affect positive change in our community. I hope to continue to use the responsibility of the School Committee to help guide Burlington further along our shared journey.