Melrose Candidate Profile: Margaret Driscoll For School Committee

MELROSE, MA — With the Melrose Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Margaret Driscoll, who is running for reelection to the Melrose School Committee.

Driscoll, who is the executive director of an education-based professional association, has served on the School Committee since 2008. She has chaired the committee six different times.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Margaret E R Driscoll

How old will you be as of Election Day?

Old enough to be the proud mother of 3 MHS alums.

What city or town do you live in?

Melrose

What office are you seeking?

School Committee

Education

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Finance from Boston University and an MBA in Marketing and International Business from Binghamton University

Occupation

I'm the executive director of an education-based professional association

Family

My husband Jeff was born and raised in Melrose, as were our three young adult children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes, Melrose School Committee from 2008-current

Why are you seeking this office?

To serve students, our school family and our citizens by using my skills, long-term experience and historical knowledge to support and provide the stability and leadership needed to a city government that will welcome a new mayor, new superintendent, and new School Committee members and city councilors.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is_____ and this is what I intend to do about it.

... ensuring we provide every single student a high-quality education in an affordable, compassionate and safe/healthy way in every Melrose school ... hire a new superintendent who fits the needs of the district at this time, and have clear and honest discussions that translate into the critical decisions about district finances that address our most pressing issues.

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

I bring experience from nine years as an almost full-time volunteer at the Lincoln School library, beginning by leading a wonderful group that entirely revamped the collection in the new building, and successfully advocated (with a great team!) for the first-ever paid elementary library media specialist. I've served 16 years on the School Committee including six times as chair, having led every subcommittee and served on countless other committees. Our new superintendent will be the district's fifth in my committee tenure. I was honored in 2016 by the MA Association of School Committees as an All-State Committee member.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Addressing the three core responsibilities of any School Committee in the Commonwealth: superintendent hiring, oversight of finance and operations, and policy-setting that supports our core values. In addition, students must be safe and healthy in our school buildings, which is fundamental to learning.

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

Past support by Melrose voters in my prior four elections (with 4-year terms) has allowed me to work hard for students in good times and not-so-good times. Leading and working with all kinds of teams as referenced above, in addition to those in my professional work.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To work hard, live your core values every single day and choose to do what is right even when that's not easy.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Public education is my passion and calling. The School Committee is a voluntary position that is entrusted with overseeing a $46 million, 450-employee, 4000-student, eight-building, complex organization that is constantly shifting and evolving. Over the past 25 years of my 30 years as a Melrose resident, I have worked every day to honor, respect and serve our school family and community at large; learn at every opportunity, whether through formal training, my own research or listening to students, families and residents; and use my skills, experience and knowledge to serve students, who I consider to be an extension of my own family. This work is hard, but it's worth doing and worth doing well. I respectfully ask for your vote to continue as a member of the Melrose School Committee.