Waltham Candidate Profile: Marisa Diamond, School Committee

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham will have several contested races in this fall's election, including one for school committee. Waltham Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Marisa Diamond, 23, faces off against incumbents Margaret Donnelly, John Graceffa and Edmond Tarallo. Jane Gately is also a new face running for the three seats up for grabs.

The Waltham School Committee consists of six members chosen at large by ballot from the registered voters of Waltham and the mayor who serves as chair. The term of office is four years and the votes are staggered.

The next three School Committee seats will be up for School Committee election 2021.

Diamond describes herself as a life-long resident here. She's a Waltham High School graduate and then went on to get her bachelors at University of Michigan. She has seven years experience in youth development and a decade in the arts management, performance and teaching fields.

Diamond took some time to answer Patch's questions. Here's what she had to say. Her answers have not been edited. For more on the school committee candidates, the League of Women Voters is hosting a candidate night October 23 at Government Center.

Previously: Waltham Elections 2019: Here's Who Is Running

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

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

Efficient completion of the new high school and implementation of the district-wide Education Plan; hiring a highly qualified and committed Superintendent with a track record of success in diverse urban communities is key to both of these.

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

It’s only been 6 years since I graduated Waltham High, so I clearly remember what it is like to be a student, and know that students these days have different experiences, strengths and needs than those who were in school 30 or 40 years ago. I also bring current technology and communications skills (social media, marketing, digital design, video production, A/V and assistive technologies), that are essential in understanding 21st Century student and educator needs, and in expanding access to information and engagement for stakeholders of all ages.

As a Latina WPS student, over 12 years, I never once had a Latina teacher nor any teacher or administrator of color. Having a role model who looks like you in school fosters success, in the form of higher graduation rates and higher test scores.

Many of our schools’ persistent challenges have evidence-based solutions that have been applied in other diverse urban districts. I have worked directly with youth and educators in nationally-recognized youth development programs that are effectively applying research-based strategies for success, not only in Waltham, but also St. Louis, Detroit, and Chicago. Waltham Public Schools can make much needed progress, with a seat at the table for new faces and voices.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Civic and community engagement are vital life skills in our Democracy, and should be supported and required in meaningful ways for all students. Most of our surrounding districts have a service learning requirement. Waltham students need support to be fully prepared for civic, community, and professional lives, in practicum, and our community needs their valuable engagement.
Representation of all students, parents, and educators: “Nothing about us without us;” let’s make sure policies are developed with a direct voice from those whom they impact.

Waltham has made progress, but has a long way to go to support ALL students’ safety and success. We can build upon partnerships with community organizations such as WFS, WPY, and Opportunities for Inclusion to support family engagement and supportive education. We must also renew our commitment to the programs that keep students connected and engaged in school, including performing arts, athletics, and vocational education.

We have to prioritize maintenance of small class size, and ensure that we have both enough supported, qualified, diverse staff, and the facilities to make this a reality. Efficient completion of the new high school is an essential component of this goal.

The Dual Language School needs our ongoing support, and it could also be beneficial to support language skill acquisition for current non-ELL staff in other schools to cultivate a more inclusive system.

We need full transparency and student, family, personnel and community engagement in school policy and budget issues. Through this campaign, I’ve already had the privilege to hear directly from many current students, parents, educators, and residents. Common concerns, in addition to completing the new high school, that remain unaddressed include: basic human rights, i.e., access to running drinking water and bathrooms at the current high school; support for the performing arts; education more appropriately geared to highly varied learning needs and gifts, so each student has the opportunity to reach their full potential; and reassessment of new math curriculum, so students can better learn and apply essential skills in the real world.

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

I have developed curricula and worked directly with youth and educators in nationally-recognized, positively evaluated youth development programs in diverse urban communities. In training and supervising other teaching artists, and as one myself, I understand the importance of educators having the support they need to help youth succeed. My fiscal responsibility has been demonstrated through efficient completion of private and publicly-funded projects, within original budgets. I have also successfully developed and managed grants. I am committed to the ethical, efficient stewardship of limited taxpayer dollars.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"There are opportunities floating all around you all the time, you just have to reach out and close your hand around them...also, be a decent human being." -School of Visual Arts Student, NYC

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

As your School Committee representative, I will continue to listen to and amplify your concerns, and to seek solutions together. I plan to hold monthly meetings, for students of all ages and their families to offer input, share publicly available School Committee updates, and help all residents feel comfortable to provide input directly to the School Committee when possible.

As your candidate and future representative, I encourage and welcome anyone in the community to reach out to me at marisadiamond4waltham@gmail.com, IG: @marisadiamond4waltham, FB: Marisa Diamond

My favorite aspect of this city is...

Our commitment to the arts, especially within the public schools, and our embracing of cultural diversity, from our vibrant community organizations to our wide culinary variety.

More on Waltham Elections:

• Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy Announces She Will Run
• Possible Challenge To McCarthy's Run For Waltham Mayor
• Councilor Diane LeBlanc Hints At Run For Mayor
• Waltham Councilor Diane LeBlanc Announces She Will Run
• Waltham Election Calendar: What To Know About Election Season
• Column: Why I'm Running For City Waltham City Councilor At Large
• Don Desrochers Announces Campaign for City Council Seat

More Waltham Candidate Profiles

• Robert Logan - Ward 9
• Heather May - Ward 2
• Jeannette McCarthy- Mayor
• Colleen Bradley-MacArthur - At Large City Council
• Steve Lydon - At Large

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