QUALITY EDUCATION
PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
Each family in every neighborhood deserves a quality school within walking distance. As mayor, I'll prioritize supporting and investing more in our neighborhood schools especially in high-need areas. That means not only adequate funding for teachers and necessary supplies but also more funding for mentorship and support programs that prepare students for life after high school. This includes alternative learning opportunities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) and entrepreneurship development.
DEVELOP PRE-K PROGRAMS ACROSS THE CITY
Early childhood education is directly connected to positive, long-term life outcomes for both students and families. As mayor, I will work to implement a Universal Pre-K initiative so more families have access to free early childhood education.
REBUILD AND PRIORITIZE OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Overcoming the lack of resources and investment afforded to students in most need in our public schools. An overhaul and audit of SPED is underway, and as mayor I’ll prioritize funding and evaluating the quality of outcomes across all NBPS schools.
ENDORSE A PARTIALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD TO INCLUDE COMMUNITY VOICES
New Bedford has not incorporated the voice of our communities adequately into NBPS leadership. I believe we need to amplify parent, teacher and students voices, but I also believe the mayor should still be held largely accountable for the success of our schools. A hybrid school board could do both: I support a 4-3 partially elected, partially appointed board. Four elected members would be chosen by the local school councils, and three members would be appointed by the mayor. Above all, we need to bring a fair-minded, systemic approach to this restructuring of our school board to ensure the outcome is equitable and representative of our communities.