Newton Candidate Profile: Ruth Goldman, School Commitee

NEWTON, MA — There will be several contested races in this fall's election, including several seats on the School Committee. Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

When it comes to the school committee there are races in wards 4, 5 and 6.

Ruth Goldman, 58, is facing off against Galina Rosenblat for the Ward 6 school committee seat. Goldman grew up in town and then came back in 2004. She and her husband Patrick Powdermaker who is also a Newton Native, raised two children who have gone through the public school system. Her son graduated from North last year, and her daughter, Lucy, is set to graduate in 2022.

Goldman received her bachelors from Dartmouth College and then went on to get her masters in education from the University of Toronto. She's been in the non-profit and philanthropy sector for about 35 years.

She took a minute to answer a list of question we sent her. Here's what she said. Her answers have not been edited.

Previously: Newton Election Calendar 2019: What To Know About Election

Are you running for office in Newton? Contact Jenna Fisher at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Newton Patch.

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

Limited financial resources to fix our aging school buildings and support our schools adequately. Continue to work towards ensuring schools have the resources they need to operate equitably for all families.

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

I have served on the School Committee for 6 years, bring a deep knowledge of the Newton Public Schools have gained significant experience in all aspects of our system. My children have grown up in NPS and I am and NPS graduate. I also have 35 years in working with diverse groups of young people in cities across the northeast.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community? If you are an incumbent, what's still on your to-do list?

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Closing the achievement gap, continuing to upgrade our school facilities, promoting an equitable and inclusive environment in Newton and in the schools, and ensuring NPS serves all students with high quality academic and culturally appropriate curriculum.

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

Chair of the School Committee for nearly 3 years, solving long standing contract deadlock with custodial union, moving School Committee through budget processes and providing leadership that brings out the best in every member of the Committee.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be gracious and calm.

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

I believe high quality public education is the greatest asset of any community.

My favorite aspect of this city is...

Knowing my neighbors, Crystal Lake, ice cream shops, great schools and amazing teachers.

What's your take on the uptick in development around the city?

In terms of the schools, we believe given overall declining enrollments and demographic trends across the state, that there will be room in the schools to welcome new families into Newton.

More on Newton Elections:

• Newton Election Calendar 2019: What To Know About Election
• Ward 5 Residents To Head To The Polls Sept. 10
• Humphrey, Winters Win Preliminary Election In Newton's Ward 5

More candidate profiles:

• Kathryn Winters - Ward 5
• Bill Humphrey - Ward 5
• Andreae Downs - At Large Ward 5
• Deb Crossly - At Large Ward 5

• Emily Norton (Incumbent)- Ward 2
• Bryan Barash - Ward 2
• Jake Auchincloss(Incumbent) - At Large Ward 2

Are you running for office in Newton? Contact Jenna Fisher at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Newton Patch.