School Committee Candidate Profile: Paul Laurent

The School Committee race is one of just two contested races (Morse Institute Library Trustee being the other) in tomorrow's Natick Town Election.

There are four candidates running for two seats on the School Committee. Two of the candidates are seeking re-election, including Paul Laurent.

We asked Laurent some questions via email to learn more about him, his background, what he's accomplished during his tenure so far on the School Committee and what he's hoping to accomplish if he's elected to another term.

Patch: While many people are familiar with you and some of the things you’ve worked on and accomplished already as a member of the School Committee, could you tell us a little about yourself and your background for people who are new to the Natick community or maybe just aren’t as familiar with the many things that have gone on in the school system over the past few years?

Paul Laurent: I grew up in the area, went to Tufts University, studying International Relations. I went to London to study and work in Parliament at the House of Commons for one year and ended up staying for nearly 20 years!

We decided to move back to the US as we had 3 young children and wanted them to be close to their grandparents and cousins. We moved to Natick about 10 years ago, having searched for the right town to raise our 3, who are now 13.5, 12 and 12. Natick stood out as being a true community with a great school system and amenities and we were fortunate to find a great neighborhood in which to live.

I got my Masters and embarked on a PhD in the UK; I spent 8-10 years as an academic teaching US History, US Politics and European Integration at a number of universities and then moved into the private sector and became a consultant. My wife, who is British, is a university administrator in Waltham. We have a black lab and 2 cats, all rescues.

Currently, I work with major donors for a Boston-based charitable organization that brings communities together to help improve people’s lives and strengthen the neighborhoods in our region. We focus on children, youth and families and education is one of our main areas of focus.

Not being able to vote or participate in local politics (yet pay taxes!) in the UK, when we moved to Natick, I got interested in town government and got elected to Town Meeting. I was honored to serve as Chair for the Natick Police Chief search and was appointed then elected to School Committee.

Patch: What are a couple (or maybe a few) of the things that you’re most proud about having accomplished in the time you’ve spent on the Natick School Committee?

Laurent: In the 2.5 years I have been on the committee, we have been able to accomplish some pretty impressive things, the major one being the opening of a state of the art new High School, with new athletic facilities, on time and under budget! The implementation of the 1:1 laptop program – cutting edge and the first in the area – was very exciting and equally important are the initiatives around bullying prevention where we developed a first rate model and the alignment to the Common Core curriculum. Natick is out in front of many school districts in MA and is on a continued upward vector. I feel privileged to be a part of that success.

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Patch: What do you think are the most important issues facing the Natick Public Schools right now, and what will you do to address them if you’re re-elected?

As mentioned during the debate and at recent PTO meetings, among the most pressing issues are: managing increasing student enrollments, looking at the future of the district’s aging facilities and resource allocation are pretty high on the list. Making sure we have the teachers needed to properly educate our students is vitally important as is the move to align with the Common Core. There are always important issues!

Patch: I believe that whenever a person takes on a big responsibility, such as being a member of the School Committee, it’s an ongoing learning process as to how to do things, the best way to do things and a variety of other things as well (with the School Committee, for example, I’m sure there is a lot to learn about policies, procedure and the laws regarding what schools can and can’t do). What have you learned from your time serving on the School Committee, and what, if anything, would you change or do differently?

Laurent: Being on the School Committee is a big responsibility and all who serve in that capacity do take that responsibility very seriously. Our collective aim is to make the district the best it can be and we are fortunate in Natick to have a Superintendent who is a visionary and dedicated to taking the schools and students’ education to new heights. Even after 2.5 years there is much to learn - each presentation we hear gives us a better perspective of where we are and were we are headed. I have learned so much and am so impressed about what makes our schools special. I would like to highlight the dedication and professionalism that our educators bring to teaching our students. Each committee member brings their own perspective but the most gratifying aspect is we are all pulling in the same direction: to make the Natick schools the best they can be.

Patch: Lastly, why are you running for re-election?

Laurent: I am honored to serve the Town in this capacity for something that is very important to me personally. There are many educators in my family; as a former educator myself I know first hand the keystone role that education plays in a person’s future.

Being a member of the School Committee gives me the chance to give back to the community as well as help formulate and oversee the system that facilitates better student achievement, which is what we are about.  I sincerely want to continue being part of that equation and help move the needle for the town.

Natick has a proud history and the work we do only helps make the future brighter for our young people. Seeing how our students go on to do great things in sport, business or the arts is the best reward we can get. Knowing they got their foundation here in Natick is why I would like to continue to make our schools better.  Those who served before have helped make us what we are today; I am interested in helping continue and build on that success and set the tone and direction for the future.