Cast Your Vote for Ehrenberg

This letter is published on behalf of Ben Kelley, Co-President, Brookline Parents Organization:

I first met Steven Ehrenberg in June of 2019, at an event we at the Brookline Parents Organization organized to support our kindergarten teachers. About forty of us—parents, educators, members of the community—sat in a circle in the Florida Ruffin-Ridley (then CCS) library, discussing issues we had seen first-hand, and what might be done to move the district in a better direction. Steven and I have been friends ever since.

Three superintendents and a global pandemic later, the kindergarten teachers’ letter may seem like history, but the vital issues that they raised, about how we educate our children, about what real equity means, remain. As our schools finally begin their return to some semblance of normalcy and we welcome our new Superintendent Dr. Linus Guillory, we will need to do the hard work of addressing issues around reading instruction, block scheduling, science and social studies, and supporting guidance, among many others, as we rebuild our schools.

Steven brings a diverse set of skills that, alongside his professional experience, make him uniquely qualified to help rebuild our schools. With years of experience designing and running educational programs in regions of the world recovering from conflict and trauma, Steven understands how to help stakeholders work together, creating coalitions and finding common ground from which to build trust and understanding. He knows how to navigate large budgets in ways that make positive educational change that directly supports students, working from macro to micro levels.

As a father of two, Steven understands the challenges facing both special education and general education students. As a member of Expert Advisory Panel Three, Steven has worked on how to support our educators through this past year of remote and hybrid schooling. As a member of Brookline’s Equity Parents Advisory Committee, Steven delved into the equity challenges facing our students, educators, and administrators. Steven’s deep involvement in Brookline education will make him an effective School Committee member from day one of his term.

Steven is endorsed by Brookline PAX, the Brookline Parents Organization, along with School Committee Chair Suzanne Federspiel, Vice-Chair David Pearlman, Curriculum Chair Jennifer Monopoli, and Finance Chair Mariah Nobrega, who know that Steven will be an invaluable colleague. Over a hundred other elected officials and members of our community have joined in their endorsement. Please cast your vote on May 4th for Steven Ehrenberg for School Committee.

Ben Kelley
Co-President, Brookline Parents Organization