Letter To The Editor Roundup: North Andover Town Election

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The following letters were submitted to North Andover Patch by residents.

To submit a letter to the editor email chris.huffaker@patch.com.

The North Andover town election is March 30. There are contested races for both School Committee and Select Board.

>>North Andover Election Guide: Who's Running March 30

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Letter from resident Cliff Bourie

To the Editor:

Dave Brown is a candidate for the North Andover School Committee. He has always been a strong advocate for the children of North Andover. His skills and experience make him uniquely qualified for this role.

Dave has extensive executive management experience. He understands the role of a supervisory board and how to build relationships between a board and an administration. He has been a teacher at both the high school and college levels. Most importantly, Dave’s three children graduated from North Andover Public Schools.

Dave Brown has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the community. He’s been involved in many volunteer activities for more than 20 years. He has held leadership positions for the Trustees of Osgood Hill, the Fields Committee, North Andover Little League and the North Andover Booster Club. Dave also served on the most recent search committee for the High School Principal.

We’ve worked together as board members and coaches for youth sports organizations here in North Andover. I’ve seen Dave creatively solve problems by listening to issues, collaborating, and building consensus. He always works toward positive outcomes.

As a former special education teacher for Andover Public Schools, I recognize how valuable Dave Brown’s combination of talents and experiences would be to the continued improvement of North Andover Public Schools.

Dave Brown will have my vote on March 30. If you care about North Andover Public Schools, he should have yours!

Cliff Bourie
Past President, North Andover Youth Baseball

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Letter from resident Jaime Todd

Today I write in support of Pam Pietrowski for the North Andover School Committee.

I’ve known Pam’s name around town through our children’s common sports and activities. When I found out that she, as an educator, was passionate about the future of our schools, I wanted to learn more. I was a teacher for almost 15 years, and know that the person who fills the school committee seat needs to know the educational system inside and out. Pam will always be an advocate for the best for our children. I know how seriously educators take this role. Advocacy is second nature to Pam, as she is someone who works for the best for her students every day in her EL classroom.

I think we all recognize that running for school committee is not just for people who want to see change happen. We need someone who knows what children have been through...who has skin in the game as they say, for their family. We need someone who can fill a seat on the committee who knows how to thoughtfully and effectively communicate with the administrators, teachers, and parents in our community.

Pam is willing to ask the difficult questions that will drive our schools’ success. She is not willing to accept a mediocre approach with a school system that has tremendous potential in the coming years. Her willingness to communicate openly and advocate for ALL children, not just some, and ALL families is what I admire. I hope you will join me in supporting Pam Pietrowski for the School Committee on March 30th.

Jaime Todd

North Andover, MA

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Letter from residents Edward & Allison MacMillan

To the Editor:

My family, friends and neighbors will proudly be voting for Dave Brown for North Andover School Committee on Tuesday March 30, 2021. Dave is an exceptionally qualified candidate and committed to working collaboratively to continue the significant progress the North Andover School System has achieved in improving curriculum and infrastructure, and to institute a culture of continuous improvement.

Dave brings executive level leadership experience from the private sector including working with supervisory boards, negotiation skills, and a track record working effectively with diverse stakeholders. He demonstrated these skills through the generous amounts of his time he invested in coaching NA youth in multiple sports and the league leadership roles he held, and still holds in those organizations. He has shown determination and creativity in dealing with resource shortages - most significantly fields and coaches, helping those programs deal with and overcome those challenges, to ensure a positive and enriching experience for the children. Dave most recently volunteered to serve on the Trustees of Osgood Hill and has taught at both the high school and college levels. Dave’s three children also graduated from North Andover Public Schools.

Dave Brown’s commitment to North Andover has been unwavering in the 20 years I have known him; in fact, I could fill another paragraph with such examples and professional accomplishments. I believe it would be best to conclude by saying Dave is a family man of expectational character, humility, with boundless energy and a passion to problem solve. He can be counted on to be collaborative and ask tough questions when necessary. North Andover would be truly fortunate to have Dave working for us as a school committee member.

If you believe every child is deserving of an excellent education, please join us in voting for Dave Brown on March 30.

Sincerely,

Edward & Allison MacMillan

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Letter from resident J.P. James

Citizens of North Andover:

My name is J.P. James, Ph.D. I am a Professor of Marketing at Salem State University and a proud resident of North Andover, Massachusetts! I am writing to give a full-throated endorsement for Rebecca E. Stronck for North Andover School Committee.

Rebecca’s son, Gabriel, is friends with my son, Grayson, where together they attend Annie L. Sargent Elementary School. In having this personal friendship with Rebecca, I have seen how a good and quality education is a priority to both her son and her daughter, Emily. Moreover, given the circumstances of the COVID-19 Pandemic over the last year, I know that Rebecca has the vision to get our children safely back to school and continue in their academic education and social development.

For these reasons, I will be voting for Rebecca E. Stronck for School Committee on Tuesday, March, 30, 2021! Rebecca is a proud product of the North Andover Public School System and desires to pay it forward to shape the school district for the better!

Sincerely,
J.P. James, Ph.D.

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Letter from resident Sean Carter

Citizens of North Andover:

My name is Sean Carter, I am President and CEO of NEACH and NEACH Payments Group and a 6-year resident of North Andover. I am writing to give a full endorsement for Rebecca Stronck for North Andover School Committee.

Rebecca’s son Gabriel has been friends with my daughter Rayghan since kindergarten. They both attend the Annie L. Sargent Elementary school. I have gotten to know Rebecca through school and at the dance academy where her daughter Emily and my daughter’s Rayghan and Madisyn dance. My experience from interactions with Rebecca is that she has a tremendous passion about education and the town. Rebecca has shared her vision with me on how we can get the kids safely back into school. Rebecca understands the need for kids to be in the classroom to for the best learning and to also develop their social skills. Rebecca is a problem solver and will do the same on the committee as voice for both parents and teachers.

For the reasons listed above, I will be voting for Rebecca E. Stronck for School Committee on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Rebecca is a proud product of the North Andover Public School System and has a desire to ensure that all residents of the town have a school system that we can be proud of.

Sincerely,

Sean Carter

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Letter from resident David Evangelista

To the Editor,

My name is David Evangelista, a resident of North Andover and a parent of 2 children. I am writing this letter in strong support and to endorse Rebecca Stronck, candidate for School Committee. As a long-time resident of North Andover, and a parent herself, she has a strong connection to the students and the schools in our town. She is keenly aware of the varied needs of our population, and is, by far, the most committed and qualified candidate currently running for one of 2 open positions on the School Committee. The last year has been challenging in so many ways, and school disruptions have been challenging and weighed heavily on so many. Our school system needs repair, not only from pre-existing issues, but from the issues caused by the pandemic. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that if Rebecca Stronck is elected, our students and schools will be in a far better place for many years to come.

Sincerely,
David Evangelista

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These letters were produced by their authors. The views expressed are the authors' own.