LETTER: Lisa Bergen, CTAC Chair, Running for School Committee

The following announcement was provided by Concord resident Lisa Bergen.

I am writing to announce my candidacy for a seat on the Concord School Committee.

Since moving to Concord in 2004, my family has enjoyed being Concordians and my children have benefitted from the superb teachers and staff at the schools. My older daughter is a 2010 CCHS graduate and my younger daughter will graduate from CCHS in 2016. 

After 17 years in the high technology industry managing operations, finance and network services, I changed careers and worked for 7 years as a teacher and educational administrator. I have also served on the Board of Directors for a public charter school. My experience as parent, business person and educator helps me understand and appreciate the challenges and opportunities facing the School Committee.

In addition to my professional experience, I have attended almost all School Committee meetings over the past year,  helping me to stay informed about current issues before the committee. In May I was honored to be appointed to the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee, where I served as chair. I also had the privilege of serving as a member of the School Committee's Transportation Advisory Committee.

I have worked hard to understand not only the issues, but also the process by which the community is informed about the work of the committee. It is through the process that the community can trust the committee and understand the decisions that are made. I believe that the School Committee's constituency is the entire community and that having an open, honest and transparent relationship with the community is one of the committee's obligations and responsibilities.

I look forward in the months ahead to meeting with you, listening to your ideas and suggestions, and learning from you how I can best serve our community. I hope to earn your trust, your respect and your vote.