Dedham 2022 Candidate Profile: Rebecca Gates

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 also 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 Rebecca Gates had to say.

Age as of Election Day: 45

Position sought: Dedham School Committee

Party Affiliation: Unenrolled

Family:

Mother of two adult sons (one, US Marine, other Postal Worker) and one elementary aged son (5th Grader at Greenlodge School). Husband, Richard.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Son - US Postal Service; Son - US Marine

Education: University of Massachusetts, Matriculating

Occupation: Manager, Global Retailer; Entrepreneur, Caterer; Founder of Nonprofit Theater Company

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: N/A

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Rebec...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Like most of you, I trusted those who stepped up to serve our town, did so in the best interest of the entire community. I trusted them to represent us without political agendas or any bias. Recent history, however, has proved my trust misguided.

Parents’ voices are being silenced and their concerns dismissed, marginalized, and devalued. Core curriculums are no longer front and center of our public school systems goals. School budgets – and our tax dollars – are being redirected away from their core mission to teach our children basic subjects, in favor of social agendas, which alienate parents and divide our community. Worse, our students’ basic education, as measured by recent MCAS test scores, have deteriorated.

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

There are multiple issues facing our public school system: curriculum, parental curriculum partnerships; and fiscal spending. State published data exposes significant deficits in literacy and math scores during a time of declining enrollment and increased per pupil costs.

We need to set clear expectations for student achievement building on strong foundation of literacy, mathematics and personal growth. Budgeting priorities with tools for classroom teachers which will benefit student success and avoid overburdening Dedham taxpayers. Implement cost-effective programs that assist restore student confidence and rebuild academic achievement.

I support Public Comment during School Committee meetings for parents and residents addressing both achievements and apprehensions. Good education starts in the home and flourishes through a strong and innovative partnership with our school-wide community.

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

I am a doer! I am a person who does not simply complain or talk about problems. I am a person who actively steps up, collaborates with others, cultivates solutions, and works towards constant improvement. I have successfully, and repeatedly, done this as a businesswoman and as a parent.

Others will highlight their years of experience in the school system or on our current school committee. Before you applaud their personal resumes, ask yourself the following questions:
• How has their time and experience benefitted the Town of Dedham?
• Have you, the taxpayer, received a good return on your educational investment?
• Have you, the parent, been heard?
• Has your child thrived in this system?
• Have you had to fight to get the basic learning plans in place and honored for your child?
• Have you, the student, left the Dedham Public School system prepared for life after high school?

If any of these questions gave you pause; then none of us have been served, represented, or heard.

It is time for a change of perspective, experience, personal fortitude, and accessibility.

I have a proven track record of implementing change when needed; honoring processes that work; and listening to all voices to ensure that best practices are followed. I will bring your voice and your concerns not only to the school committee and school administration, but I will also work to resolve these concerns for not only your child, but for all our children.

As your Dedham Public School Committee representative, I will add credence to the phrase, Excellence in Education, by focusing on:
• Responsible Budgeting, which respects the taxpayers, as well as supports broad-spectrum and individualized learning plans
• Programs, Policies, Curriculum and Agendas which close opportunity gaps to insures every child achieves his/her best educational outcome
• Curriculums that are built on the strong foundation of literacy, mathematics, and other testable skills
• Program development and implementation that address the unique needs of all segments of our diverse community
• Full partnership with parents in the education of their child
• Recognizing, developing and encouraging individual growth by personal merit and effort
• Encouraging age-appropriate free thought in an environment of mutual respect, support and inclusiveness.

The Dedham School Committee will soon be trusted to vet applications for several key personnel positions in our town’s school administration including the Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance, and School Principal(s).

Dedham Public Schools demand leadership in these key positions that will exceed our collective expectations. At minimum, they will set the tone for our school system, which impacts our entire
community, not just the student body. These individuals must have strong records; clear, implementable goals; and be held accountable for measurable results. These individuals, especially at the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent levels, must respect the tax dollars that they are entrusted to spend wisely.

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

Parents are frustrated. Concerns have gone unresolved at the school, administration and school committee levels. The last straw for so many is to reach out to the school committee, which is a board elected by us to represents us.

Unfortunately, rather than respectfully listening and acting on concerns, committee members have rolled their eye rolls, raised up their hands, and even called those who dare to speak publicly a "distraction." I have been advocating for parents and taxpayers for several years on everything from bullying, falling MCAS scores, and school ranking, to fiscal budget gaps, where budgets are going up; student attendance and measurable curriculum success are trending downward. I am running to be the representative member of the school committee, where I will honor those who elected me to share their voice, address their concerns, and escalate the resolutions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Transparency is a trendy goal, which many champion, but rarely honor. Dedham Public Schools deserve more transparency from the administration. It is the key to parent involvement. We need to initiate communication which can stop a smaller, correctable problem from escalating. Parents deserve to know what their children are learning, what material is being used, and how they can partner with their classroom teachers to ensure their child's academic success. Parents who are better informed will be involved and engaged.

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

I have a strong business background. I am currently the general manager for an international retailer. Since assuming this role, I demonstrated a 40% year over year revenue increase, even during Covid. I am the Founder/Executive Director of a nonprofit theater company, where I am responsible for everything from administrative (planning, marketing, permitting and fiscal management) to casting, training and directing actors. I am also a member of the Leadership Team, serving as a Director, at my family's church. The leadership team oversees the fiscal management from operational and capital budgeting, to expenditure reconciliation.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My parents have been a perpetual source of life defining advice. My parents moved our family to Haiti during my middle school years. This experience has imprinted on my soul our obligation to one another to serve those who are in need, to speak for those who are unheard, and give more than is asked.

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

When I first considered a run for a seat on the School Committee, I pledged that I would listen to the voices of the students, families and taxpayers. What I have learned from conversation after conversation with parents solidified my decision.

Too many families have left our school system not because they had religious or homeschooling leanings as the administration has cited. These families were frustrated and concerned about their childrens best educational interests. Other families have hired tutors to supplement their children's education. These alternatives are costly and these sacrifices great.

Two of my three sons, and myself, are graduates of the Dedham Public School System. The core education we received is not the same curriculum my third child; a 5th grader, is receiving.

Dedham residents deserve the best return on their educational investments. Parents and guardians deserve to valued partners in the education of our children.