North Andover Candidate Profile: Kevin Dube For School Committee

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The Town of North Andover's Annual Town Election is on Tuesday.

This year, four offices are on the ballot: Select Board, School Committee, Housing Authority and Greater Lawrence Technical School District Committee.

Here are more details about the upcoming election.

Patch is profiling some of the candidates. Here, we learn more about Kevin Dube, who is running for one of two open seats on the School Committee. David Scott Brown and Alissa Koenig also are running for School Committee.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Kevin Dube

Campaign website:
www.electdube.com

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Office sought

School Committee

Family

My wife and I have called North Andover home since 2001. Both my daughters are currently in high school and have been students in North Andover Public Schools since kindergarten.

My younger daughter is a freshman and is involved in chorus, track, and swim team at the high school, and she is a competitive dancer at North Andover School of Dance. My older daughter is a junior and is in band, student council, science team, and track, where she was part of the current school record-holding discus relay team. We also have 2 dogs, Scarlett and Bailey

Education

High school: St. John's Prep. Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration: Salem State College. Master's Degree in Taxation: Bentley College

Occupation

Certified Public Accountant since 1997. Former small business owner for 15 years. Computer Programmer/manager 20+ years.

Previous or current elected or appointed office

Sustainability Committee

Why are you seeking elective office?

To ensure North Andover Public Schools are providing the best education possible for our children. Our children truly are the future. They are tomorrow's leaders, workers and parents. It is paramount that they are given the tools they need to succeed as members of our society.

• Academic excellence for all students.
• Putting parents and legal guardians first in children's education
• Transparency for all stakeholders
• An end to radical ideology in our schools
• Fiscal responsibility

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

Both of my opponents claim to bring no pre-determined ideology or agenda. However, sadly, troubling ideological agendas are already present within our schools that my opponents have not discussed.

Curriculum elements utilizing lessons steeped in Critical Race Theory have made their way into our classrooms. Our elementary school libraries contain numerous books on gender identity, including one which states "my pronouns are like the weather, they change depending how I feel."

Our district has promoted a number of Social Justice professional development programs for our teachers, including a study group for the book "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo. In this book, the author states "a positive white identity is an impossible goal. White identity is inherently racist; white people do not exist outside the system of white supremacy"

Our Social and Emotional Learning Department is using The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning program or CASEL. CASEL's president states "We see SEL as a tool for anti-racism ... as a lever for equity and the critical role it can play in achieving those goals." What does that have to do with our children's emotional health?

Finally on the school’s website is a link for a Parent University. Under the heading for "Equity and Anti-Racism," we find the book "Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness" being recommended to elementary school kids. This book includes a "contract binding you to whiteness" which states "you get stolen land, stolen riches and special favors in exchange for whiteness getting to mess endlessly with the lives of your friends, neighbors, loved ones, and all fellow humans of color," as well as whiteness getting your soul. All of this and more is detailed on my website, www.electdube.com/issues

If you are a challenger, in what ways do you hope to improve upon the work of the current board or office holder?

In addition to my concerns over our administration's educational priorities, our town is also facing some major financial decisions. Proposed school expansions total over $160 million dollars. The budgets for these enhancements were set years ago before interest rates and inflation exploded. While many of these enhancements may be necessary, it is imperative we make sure tax dollars are wisely spent.

The current proposed school budget in excess of $60 million dollars for the 2023-2024 school year is almost 25% higher than it was for the 2019-2020 school year. This, while enrollment in our schools has declined. I want to make sure these funds are being put toward providing a quality education for our students.

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

I have run two small businesses, managed up to 30 people at a time, and advised CEOs of companies with orders magnitude more employees than that. I understand complex systems and that there are often no simple solutions to the complex problems of large organizations. I understand that all members of such organizations are members of a team, but the role of team members is not to be cheerleaders, but rather as contributors of differing thoughts and opinions to create a whole greater than the individual parts.

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

I am running to be an advocate for all members of our community on the school board. I will strive to always make the best decisions for our students, parents, and the taxpayers. I also pledge to be accessible to the community to hear their concerns or ideas. Accessibility, transparency and advocacy are all high priorities for me.