Dedham 2022 Candidate Profile: Beth Flanagan Gleason

DEDHAM, MA - Dedham voters will have a big choice to make in the election for School Committee.

Current Chair Tracey White is running for reelection. Member Mayanne MacDonald Briggs is running for reelection. They are being challenged by Beth Flanagan Gleason and Rebecca Gates.

To help voters get to know each candidate, Dedham Patch sent every candidate a questionnaire to probe their thoughts on school issues. Here's what Beth Flanagan Gleason had to say.

Age: 47

Position sought: Dedham School Committee

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Husband: David. Daughters: Margot 11, Madeline 9, Maeve 6

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Not right now

Education:

The George Washington University, and University of Massachusetts at Amherst, BA: English 1998 cum laude

Occupation: I am a full time stay at home mother. I have been managing early intervention for two of my three children for the last nine years. I mange the schedule and financial obligations that come with autism.

Prior to this, I ran a financial services company called First Command Financial Planning with my husband. All of my children are in school now, and the early intervention only takes place a few afternoons per week.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

None, but I ran for this office previously in 2020.

Campaign website: www.bethflanagan-gleasonforded...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have three young daughers. I have a vested interest in improving our schools. I am an Oakdale, ECEC and formerly Greenlodge mom. As the mother of a child with autism, I will advocate for the parents, students, teachers, and employees of the Dedham Public Schools just as I do for my own family.

Bullying is fluid, and it knows no age limit. Parents who attend school committee meetings should always receive polite treatment. The lack of respect that is sometimes displayed would never be tolerated in our homes. Why should we accept it from school committee members or high level administrators?

The single most pressing issue facing our committee is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue is the bullying parents encounter when dealing with the current school committee, or high level administrators. We can rectify this! With the retirement of our Superintendent of Schools, and our Director of Special Education, we have a chance to unify Dedham.

We need a candidate like me who is not afraid to say that we deserve better. Until we hire qualifed, docotoral level professionals who will lead with grace and humility, we can't expect the trickle down bullying that our children experience to end. We need high level administrators who will lead by example, and school committee members like me who understand that administrators report to the school committee. The school committee must hold them accountable for the sake of our children and employees.

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

I am a strong supporter of teachers. I am the only candidate endorsed by Tim Dwyer, the President of the Dedham Education Associaltion.

Our new Superintendent of Schools must be one who respects women in the workplace. Instead of enabling problematic administrators, I will empower parents. Even if I disagree with them, I will never roll my eyes or sulk when they participate in public comment, or give me feedback of any kind.

I also know that we need sweeping changes in our special education department, and at Dedham Middle School. Both incumbents have stated publicly that they disagree during the WINDD candidate forum and the Dedham Coalition for Equity and Inclusion candiate forum.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

The current school committee does not believe parents of children at Dedham Middle School. They are complicit regarding the bullying and inconsistent, and sometimes unfair discipline. They have been hearing it for years. It is a symptom of the bigger problem.

They are of the opinion that they are accountable to high level administrators. They advocate on behalf of the Superintenedent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Director of Special Education and Principal of Dedham Middle School. They should understand that they work for the parents and taxpayers, and they should want better for us!

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Every child who graduates from Dedham High School shoudl have a solid plan in place. There is no reason why every single student should not continue on with their studies. This includes a vocational or non traditional academic setting. The hiring of more guidance counselors and paraprofessionals could help facillitate this.

My younger children, Madeline and Maeve, will be college bound in the traditional sense. My oldest girl, Margot will also earn a degree because autism and or disability should never rule a child out of a future.

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

When I worked as the manager of First Command Financial Planning, I handled government reporting, compliance regulations, and the safeguarding of extremely personal financial material of many clients. Our clients were primarily active duty or retired military.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

It was a meme for parents of children with autism that I saw on facebook. It said, "Always be the parent that you needed to meet when this first happened to you".

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

I am always wiling to hear their point of view. Because I am a stay at home mom, I am able to dedicate three afternoons per week to speaking with Dedham residents, in addition to the standard school committee obligations. This is the benefit of electing a stay-at-home mom!