Jon Wensky Seeking Reelection To Shrewsbury School Committee

The following was submitted as a campaign announcement by Jon Wensky for the race for Shrewsbury School Committee. If you have a campaign announcement you would like published, email colleen.martin@patch.com.

I am excited to announce my intention to run for re-election to the Shrewsbury School Committee. I’ve had the honor of serving on this committee over the last six years to ensure our schools maintain the high-quality standards and appropriate funding to carry forward our town’s tradition of educational excellence.

I have served the School Committee as Secretary and have held my current role as Vice-Chair consecutively for two years. In addition, I have participated in various sub-committees including Policy, Union Negotiations, Student Advisory Council, and Redistricting. During my tenure, I have strongly advocated for school funding to support critical educational support services that meet the needs of all students. I’ve advocated for the building of a new elementary school which, when opened, will positively impact class size and quality of education across the elementary level within our school district in addition to providing free full-day Kindergarten for all families. Since my election to the School Committee in 2015, I have built strong, reliable working relationships with my colleagues, Central Office leadership, staff, school principals, and educators. I am proud to have cultivated a deep working knowledge of this district, its students, educators, and leadership. I am honored to serve my hometown in such an impactful role.

As a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury, I offer a unique perspective to the School Committee as both a student and parent of students in Shrewsbury Public Schools. I’ve seen my children progress at every grade level as the proud parent of a graduate of the Class of 2020 and a Freshman at Shrewsbury High School. I reflect often on my own experience as a Shrewsbury Public School student and rely on my role as a Shrewsbury Parent to round out the qualifications I bring to this Committee. Serving the School Committee has allowed me to understand the many complexities of our school budget. I have worked effectively with school personnel, community members, and elected town & state officials to understand and respond to the multitude of challenges faced by our school district.

The success and well-being of all Shrewsbury students, educators, and staff has always been my first priority. Our district is forward-thinking, always looking to improve the high quality of our educational services while seeking the most cost-effective and efficient method of providing world-class educational services for students of all needs. The pandemic changed public education as we know it and the last year has been exceptionally challenging. Our work to respond to the post-pandemic needs of the district is just beginning. With a laser focus on mitigating COVID's impact on teaching and learning, I will continue to remain steadfast to the District's mission of providing students with the skills and knowledge for the 21st century and ensure our school community creates opportunities for all students to achieve success.

Over the next several years, Shrewsbury Public Schools will continue to face unprecedented fiscal challenges. Shrewsbury’s pre-COVID structural deficit challenges have been further exacerbated by the pandemic and its impact on our commercial tax revenue to adequately fund municipal services, including our public schools. School resources and programs have been dramatically reduced due to a lack of funding. We need to ensure we are always in a position to maintain or improve the quality of education we provide to Shrewsbury students.

As we look ahead to a challenging post-COVID public education landscape in Shrewsbury, now is not the time for a change in School Committee leadership. I believe my two terms of experience and continuation of service will significantly benefit Shrewsbury Public Schools through the ever-changing landscape of public education. With an eye toward providing the best education to all students and the critical support and resources our educators need, I hope to leverage my six years of experience to serve the Shrewsbury Public Schools for another three-year term. Shrewsbury needs tested, experienced leadership in this role as it is critical to ensuring our school district continues to excel during this very volatile time.

I would be honored to continue serving my hometown as a member of the Shrewsbury School Committee and respectfully ask for your support at the Town Election on Tuesday, May 4th.

For more information, please visit my website at jonwensky.com.