Heather Connolly Kicks-Off Re-Election Campaign For Framingham School Committee

By Heather Connolly

I have decided to seek re-election to the Framingham School Committee so that I can continue to work to improve our school system for the benefit of our students, parents/guardians, faculty, staff and the community.

I have served as a Framingham School Committee member for 4 years. I believe I understand how the Framingham School system works and what a school committee member does.

According to the Framingham School Committee Member Handbook, “In your role as a School Committee member, you will work with other members of the Committee on a myriad of complex issues including setting goals and policy, deciding the budget, negotiating contracts, managing the Superintendent, and advocating at the local, state, and federal levels for our students.”

This past year, I was involved in negotiations for a number of contracts with the various units in the district, including the Teacher’s contract. We worked collaboratively together to negotiate this contract using Interest Based Bargaining. As a member of the Executive Team of the School Committee, I met weekly with the Superintendent to review agendas for upcoming meetings as well as discuss various issues at all levels in the district. I have also been a part of regularly scheduled meetings with the Teachers Union to discuss any and all issues that arise throughout
the school year. I played an instrumental role along with Selectman Mike Bower in the formation of the Town-School Financial Leadership group that meets monthly to make sure that the town leaders understand what is happening in the schools throughout the year.

Four years ago, I joined the Building and Grounds Subcommittee, I’m presently serving as the convener, that’s when the conversation began about what would happen to the future of Fuller Middle School. Recently, we learned that the Massachusetts School Building Authority will vote soon to fund a feasibility study to renovate or replace Fuller Middle School. I would like the opportunity to follow through with this project as I have been there since the beginning of the conversation.

I have two daughters at Framingham High School and a son in 7th grade who is currently attending private school. It is important to have the perspective of a parent and what is happening in the schools at many levels. The commitment of being a School Committee Member is a large one. It requires hours spent working on issues every day. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously because it affects our children and our families. My husband and my children understand what this commitment means and while they are not always happy about the time I spend working on it, they are supportive of it. Only with the support of my family, am I able to make this commitment.

For the past 4 years, I have also been the Cheer Coordinator for Framingham Youth Football and Cheerleading. I have enjoyed this position and have learned so much about our community and the children in it. In February, I will be resigning from this position so that I can focus on my School Committee responsibilities.

If re-elected, I promise to continue to work hard, listen, follow up and continue to represent the families of Framingham to the very best of my ability. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and concerns you may have - my email: hconnolly@framingham.k12.ma.us.