Letter To Editor by Wellesley Resident,​ ​​Seana Gupta

To the Editor:

On March 1, I will cast my vote for Craig Mack for School Committee with great enthusiasm. As a father of three current WPS students and one recent graduate, Craig is intimately familiar with the bright spots and challenges in our school system. He celebrates the successes of the students and staff while acknowledging that there is room for improvement. Craig will work tirelessly with the School Committee members, parents, and administration to move the district forward. Beholden to no one, he would be pleased to serve simply because he cares deeply about students, families, and community. Craig has earned my vote because he shares my priorities and distinguishes himself in several important ways:

• Craig believes that our schools must deliver a stellar educational experience to prepare students for their lives beyond WPS. This includes rigorous academics along with opportunities to learn and practice critical skills such as perseverance, critical thinking, communication, and leadership.
• Craig’s immediate goals for WPS include robust pandemic recovery, addressing both learning loss and the social-emotional effects of the past 2 years.
• Craig will build trust in the parent community by improving communication and transparency. As evidenced by his jam-packed campaign calendar, he enjoys talking with folks across town to learn about their experiences, good and bad, and will rely on those conversations to inform his work and to build consensus.
• Craig has been a steadfast supporter of the initiatives to renovate and rebuild our school buildings. He is the only School Committee candidate who supported the construction of the new Hardy and Hunnewell buildings, an effort which most voters supported in the December special election.
• Craig embraces diversity, he values the richness it brings to our community, and he commits to amplifying underrepresented voices. Our students must be prepared to enter an increasingly diverse world in college and beyond. Exposure to thoughts and experiences that are different from their own is necessary to help them build the empathy and perspective that is needed in today’s world.
• Craig rejects the notion that equity and academic rigor are mutually exclusive. It is unacceptable that student outcomes in WPS can be predicted by the color of one’s skin and Craig is committed to addressing inequities in our schools with urgency and care.
  

Craig is not a politician; in fact, he is a newcomer to town government, bringing fresh ideas, zero baggage, and a collaborative spirit. His 28 years of professional experience in higher education make him perfectly suited to take on this role. Craig is empathetic, open-minded, and a great listener. I am confident that he will lead with integrity and compassion, engaging respectfully and purposefully in all of his School Committee work. Please join me in voting for Craig Mack in the Annual Town Election on March 1.

Wellesley Resident,
Seana Gupta.