I am both humbled by the trust shown and sobered by the importance of the task at hand. I want to thank all those who convinced me to run for School Committee and supported me in this endeavor.
Thanks also to all those on both sides of the debate who participated in the process, came to Town Meeting, and were engaged. This is a quintessential New England process—democracy in action in its purest form. Rest assured I am cognizant of the vote tally, which shows how divided we were on the budget issue.
My main objective in running for School Committee was to keep our schools strong and help reform the way education is funded in our town and state. I plan on doing just that.
I sincerely want us to be able to come together on these issues. We should not be forced to choose between seniors and kids, farmers and schools. I ask that everyone in town go to www.SOSHarvard.org to see how they can take immediate positive action to reform the way we fund education in Massachusetts and interactively collaborate with fellow citizens on our weblog. By following the steps outlined on the website, SOSHarvard supporters are already, as the motto states, “working together for positive change.”
The legislature and governor need to hear, not just from Harvard, but also from towns all across the state. We need to urge friends and relatives to send letters and make phone calls to Beacon Hill. We can make a difference; we just need to act. I will do my part, but I need help—every letter and every phone call makes a big difference. We will only succeed with a joint effort. Massachusetts must do better than 43rd in the country with state aid for local education.
Stu Sklar
Scott Road
