I am writing in support of Virginia Justicz’s campaign for the School Committee (www.virgforsc.com). As an involved citizen of our town who is a recent appointee to the committee (since August 2007), Virg brings that rare combination of knowledge of the issues, as well as a fresh, independent perspective. She also brings a unique blend of experience, skills, and a collaborative, open leadership style.
She’ll be a point person to help drive excellence. She’ll help strategize on, and aggressively pursue, non-taxpayer funding options. She’ll continue to reach out and listen to all voices, and work in partnership with other town boards for the best solutions.
Virg brings to the job a track record of success that started at Harvard (BA) and Dartmouth’s Tuck School (MBA). Afterward, she took on the daunting challenge of creating a strategy to build circulation at the Boston Globe during the rise of online news. Her service to Harvard is founded in her membership on the Policy, Strategic Planning, Capital Planning and FinCom Selection subcommittees.
Her School Committee vote on whether or not to submit a bid on educating Devens elementary students is a great illustration of her distinct value. It was tempting to opt simply for $10,000 per student for four years in an override-driven funding environment. The problem posed a complex set of factors, with merits on both sides. Virg dove in to learn the data, class size projections, etc. She reached out to people to hear their priorities. She put the question on the PTO meeting agenda.
At the end of the day, she was the only member who voted against this proposal, which illustrates her strategic big-picture orientation, her independent thinking, and her unwavering drive to weigh all the facts and do the right thing. Add to this the motivation and up-close viewpoint she brings as a mother of three children under 6.
As a parent of two young children myself, and as a property owner, I want a School Committee made up of caring leaders navigationally fixed on educational excellence, inclusiveness, community transparency and creative funding solutions. That’s why I support Virg.
Bob Eiland
Harris Lane
