Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Bergen Thanks Supporters, Encourages Continued Engagement

Cottage Road resident Lisa Bergen, who recently fell just short of winning a seat on the Concord School Committee, writes that it's 'time to direct our attention back to the issues and how they are handled.'

Dear Concord, My sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who encouraged and supported me in my campaign for a seat on the School Committee. I am especially grateful to my campaign staff for their tireless efforts and to the countless volunteers who pitched in on everything from handing out flyers to standing in the snow(and sleet and rain!) on Election Day.   Through this campaign I have had the honor and privilege of meeting with hundreds of Concordians and discussing their concerns and hopes for our schools and our town. I know from this experience that Concord is blessed with knowledgeable and active citizens who truly care about transparency, inclusive government, and serving the greater good. With the election over, it is time to …

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LETTER: Supporting Bergen for Concord School Committee

Elsinore Street resident Susan Kalled writes that Lisa Bergen "places the utmost importance on what is right for Concord Schools."

To the Editor, I write to urge your support and vote for Lisa Bergen for School Committee. It would be accurate to say that all town citizens care about quality education for Concord children. How, then, does one measure the characteristics and qualities of a person who would be best suited to represent all of Concord on the School Committee when all candidates share the same commitment to education? One could start by asking who has put words into action, who has exhibited that commitment by actually showing up in the past year to nearly all School Committee meetings to be informed of the issues, the challenges, and the processes for decision-making? Who has attended FinComm meetings when the school budget was being discussed, the …

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LETTER: Boynton Would be a 'Positive Problem Solver'

Old Bedford Road residents Richard Fahlander and Kathleen Allen write that the Concord School Committee would benefit from Johanna Boynton's 'common sense approach to difficult issues.'

To the Editor, We support Johanna Boynton for School Committee, because we know that she will put kids first. As a parent, teacher, coach and school volunteer Johanna has demonstrated her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of young people. We also know that Johanna respects and appreciates teachers as the backbone of our excellent school system. Our three sons attended Concord Public Schools and graduated from CCHS. Throughout their years they were inspired, challenged and supported by caring and creative teachers. Johanna will do whatever she can to ensure that we continue to attract and retain remarkable teachers. As a School Committee member Johanna will be positive problem solver. When president of the Children’s …

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LETTER: Supporting Bergen and Rainey for Concord School Committee

Sudbury Road resident Anne Hayden writes that Lisa Bergen and Cynthia Rainey 'would encourage the School Committee to open up the process by which citizens participate at committee meetings.'

To the Editor, I support Lisa Bergen and Cynthia Rainey for School Committee because they are ready to work on the issues that are before our schools. Both will continue to actively support the CCHS Building Committee to ensure that we have the best new high school that we can afford. They will also work to resolve the school transportation problem by encouraging the committee to pull together all stakeholders and develop a comprehensive five year plan to determine not only where our buses will be next year but what our school transportation system will look like in the future. Lisa and Cynthia would encourage the School Committee to open up the process by which citizens participate at committee meetings. Lisa did this successfully when …

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Mr Smith

10:08 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013

John, the mistake was rectified. The School and Building Committees worked with the School Administration to make the necessary adjustments as requested by the MSBA. The MSBA was satisfied and reinstated funding. Lisa Bergen's issue was that she didn't get the response that SHE was looking for. As I recall, a petition was floated last fall requesting that the MSBA reinstate funding. There were …   more ›

LETTER: Rainey Would Hit the Ground Running with Concord School Committee

Hayward Mill Road resident Abraham Fisher writes in support of Cynthia Rainey as a candidate for Concord School Committee.

To the Editor, It is with great pleasure that I endorse Cynthia Rainey for School Committee. She is intelligent, good-humored, and open-minded. Her academic and professional backgrounds give her a broad platform from which she can address different issues. She is committed to continue the extraordinarily high quality education we have come to expect in Concord.  Over the past year, Cynthia has become increasingly informed and involved in the process of school governance. She started as a curious observer, but quickly began to educate herself. She has attended most of the School Committee meetings for the last  year. She has attended many Building Committee meetings. I can personally attest that last summer she was one of the most frequent …

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LETTER: Supporting Snook, Boynton for Concord School Committee

Virginia Road residents Julia and Peter Anastos say Johanna Boynton and Kathi Snook 'will foster open, honest, and direct dialogues with school administrators, teachers, parents and other interested parties.'

To the Editor, It is with unwavering enthusiasm that we support the candidacy of both Kathi Snook and Johanna Boynton for School Committee. We are extremely fortunate to live in a town where people like Kathi and Johanna want to contribute their precious time and incomparable educational knowledge to better a wonderful school system. Both candidates have incredibly strong ties to the community and possess applicable backgrounds focused on educational pursuits. Kathi’s accomplishments are many. She received a doctorate in education while raising five children in the Concord schools and after distinguishing herself at West Point in the first class of female students. Kathi has graduated four students from CCHS and has one daughter currently …

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LETTER: Snook an 'Ideal Fit' for Concord School Committee

Cottage Street residents Anne and Peter Standish say Kathi Snook 'is an ideal fit for the committee and her commitment and dedication to the town will assure the best possible representation for the townspeople.'

To the Editor, We are writing in support of Kathi Snook for one of the two open seats for School Committee. Kathi is running because she believes in education, our town and our kids, and she is committed to serving the town of Concord honorably and with integrity. She has no agenda other than ensuring the best possible learning experience for each Concord child. Kathi is an excellent listener, communicator and consensus builder with an impressive background in education and leadership. After graduating from West Point, she rose to the rank of Army Colonel and then returned as a professor to teach mathematics. She also has earned a doctoral degree in curriculum and teaching, and has served on several committees for faculty and curriculum …

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Town SNAFU

3:50 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013

The aggressive retaliatory nature of certain posters to this thread sadly warrants anonymity. I've never posted to the Patch before under this or any other name if that makes you feel better.   more ›

LETTER: Logan Says Bergen's a Leader

Border Road resident Craig Logan says Lisa Bergen "has gone above and beyond what was expected of her while chairing the CTC, and I know she will do the same as a representative for all of us" on the School Committee.

To the Editor, I am excited to support Lisa Bergen for School Committee. As the chair of the Citizens Transportation Committee, and a member of the School Committee appointed Transportation Advisory Committee, Lisa not only proved her ability to lead, but also that she could work with citizens charged with two different tasks. She is an independent thinker, who believes it is best to learn the facts for herself, and is never swayed by either side of the aisle. Lisa held her position in a professional manner earning her the respect of all the people that she served with, and for. Lisa has shown her dedication by attending dozens of School Committee, Building Committee, Finance Committee, and Board of Selectman meetings over the past year. …

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