Burlington Candidate Profile: Katherine Bond For School Committee

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

The offices on the Ballot are: Moderator, Select Board, Assessor, School Committee, Library Trustees, Planning Board, Board of Health, Housing Authority, Recreation Commission and Town Meeting Members.

There 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 Katherine Bond, who is running to keep her seat on the School Committee. Bond's seat is one of two open seats on the committee. Incumbent Carl Foss is running for re-election, while challenger Jeremy Paul Brooks also is in the race.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Katherine Bond

Campaign website

bond4burlington.com

Age (as of Election Day)

60

Office sought

School Committee

Family

I have been married to my husband, Brad Bond, for 27 years. Brad and I moved to Burlington in 1996. My daughter, Elizabeth, attended Burlington Schools K-12. She graduated from college last year and is now employed in Woburn as a special education teacher at the Hurld-Wyman elementary school.

Massachusetts is the eighth state I have lived in, and I have lived as far west as California. Education is important to my family. My grandmother, great aunt and mother were all teachers. I have as BS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and my husband has a Ph.D from Cornell. My other family member is our dog. She is a Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix. She is my buddy, my comic relief, and is the best greeter when I get home from the office.

Education

BS University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Occupation

• I'm a professional with 30+ years experience in transportation and logistics. I have been with Raytheon for a little over five years and am currently a Logistics Senior Supervisor.

Previous or current elected or appointed office

• School Committee
• Chair, School Committee
• Vice chair, Fox Hill building committee
• Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) liaison
• Served on the Transportation Committee

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking re-election to address the lingering aftermath of the COVID pandemic and to focus on important issues such as the curriculum, facilities improvements and student mental health services.

The School Committee members have a great deal of knowledge about our community and schools and are committed to advancing our district. Our schools attract families to buy homes here in Burlington, and our property values are high as a result. From experiencing our schools as a parent, I understand the difficulties and the joys faced by students, parents and taxpayers.

As a School Committee member, my role is to listen and make informed decisions. Parents can be hesitant to call or email members or step up to the microphone in public, televised committee meetings. Therefore, School Committee members must be accessible to families and seen as approachable and open minded. We often bridge the gap between a parent and the superintendent (administration) when something needs attention. We also select or terminate the superintendent, review and approve budgets and establish educational goals and policies. If re-elected, I will continue to adhere to these guidelines.

Describe the issues that define your campaign platform

Excellence in Education, meeting students needs and facilities

Excellence in Education:

• Cutting edge curriculum and facilities
• Special education programs
• Small class sizes
• AP and college readiness
• STEM leadership
• Performing and fine arts
• Music, wellness and athletics

Meeting Students Needs:

• Social-emotional services K-12
• DEI initiatives
• Programs for multi-lingual learners
• Increase Tier 2 capacity
• Extra-curricular programs

Facilities:

• Social-emotional services K-12
• DEI initiatives
• Programs for multi-lingual learners
• Increase Tier 2 capacity
• Extra-curricular programs

Filling the assistant superintendent position was a top priority at the beginning of the campaign. I am happy to announce Dr. Lisa Chen will be starting in July of 2023.

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

I am about to complete my first term (3 years) on the School Committee during a most remarkable and challenging time. I am crisis-tested and have gained the experience to guide our district forward. I served on the Transportation Committee and helped implement Safe Routes to School as well as a plan with the Select Board to provide rides for students from their after-school activities. I am vice chair of Fox Hill new school project and served on the DEI selection committee. Most recently, we have improved the quality and variety of food being served in our cafeterias with healthier and more inclusive menus.

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

I'm a professional with 30+ years experience as a logistics specialist. I have experience reviewing RFP's, RFI's and negotiating contracts with major corporations. This experience is invaluable as we move forward with the Fox Hill project and as we deal with what our next steps are for the high school and Pine Glen.

Additionally, I volunteered for the BHS Council for over 4 years, BHSA Director of Fundraising, BSTC- V.P, WFSC (Burlington Ice Palace) — Treasurer for 12 years — Coach Pop Warner Cheer —head coach for 4 years — and team sponsor for the BHS varsity figure skating team. These positions each require commitment and communication skills and carry significant responsibility for the well-being of other people's children.

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

My goal is to ensure we educate and support ALL our students as they move through each level in school. We can facilitate this by ensuring our teachers get the support they need through attending seminars, provided research tools and training. We need to continue to support inclusion of all students and create a culture of kindness.

Current studies show our students are stressed. We need to continue to evaluate this situation to ensure students who are at risk get the support needed. We need to make sure our teachers have the right support/training should an at-risk student ask for help.

Serving the past three years has strengthened my bond with the many wonderful people, their children, and our outstanding teachers in our community. These invaluable connections forged my decision to run for school committee again.

I believe I am the best person for one of the two open seats. I have learned the ins and outs of how best to work with town government to move projects forward. My experience in contracts and logistics will be invaluable as we move forward with upcoming projects. I am approachable and I listen. I humbly ask for you to please cast one of your two votes for me on April 1st.