Ward 6 Candidate Responses - Paul Bockelman

What political or community activism accomplishments are you most proud of during your last term in office (or the last two years if you have not previously served)? What specific things do you want to accomplish during the coming term?

I am most proud of my role in three areas:

1. Improving the leadership of Somerville schools. I was very involved in the hiring process for the new school superintendent and in bringing members of the public into the process.

   Hiring the best people possible for the job is a key ingredient for the future success for Somerville’s schools. We have an able superintendent who is providing strong, enlightened leadership on many issues. We have funded and hired a new Human Resources/Diversity Officer to improve our recruitment of qualified teachers and administrators. We have also been able to secure funding for additional staff for our most troubled schools. New hires and additional staff have had an immediate, positive impact on our schools. I have played an integral role in each of these.

2. Engaging the public in the workings of the school district. At my urging, and that of others on the committee, more information is being shared via the School Department’s web site and on listservs. Richer discussions are being heard at subcommittee meetings. More people have been involved in the hiring processes. I have worked hard to improve communication among stakeholders by pushing to get all key documents on the School Department’s web site in a timely manner, hosting open coffee hours to discuss school issues, and sharing information through our active email lists. I initiated a series of open meetings with the new high school headmaster, bringing him to my and others’ homes and to local parks and playgrounds to hear community members’ suggestions. This initiative continued this summer with additional meetings in homes, coffee shops, and community rooms. And I will be hosting even more meetings this Fall with other administrators to bring the schools into the community.

   Working with Ward Six Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, I produced the first ever Ward Six newsletter concentrating on school issues. Our second edition is due out in mid-October.

3. Leading the school community in setting five, high-priority, long-term goals. The School Committee has adopted five long-range goals that will take much of our time and energy in the coming two years.

   These five goals are:

   1. Develop a universal, safe, enriching extension of the school day initiative in order to ensure all students have time for a full educational experience.
   2. Create a groundbreaking, exciting middle school instructional program.
   3. Increase inclusion opportunities for special education students.
   4. Establish a foreign language instruction program before high school.
   5. Develop greater multicultural understanding and increase staff diversity.

In particular, I will focus on solutions to address the middle school crisis. It is in middle school that we are at greatest risking of losing parents who have choices and losing students who don’t. Ground lost in middle school is very difficult to make up in high school. This is a very challenging goal, but it is one that we must begin to address in a creative, open-minded way. We will need everyone’s help to figure this one out.

I will also continue to work to get the word out about Somerville’s schools. This includes creating better publications, creating and attending community forums for our students and educators to discuss their experiences in our schools, and engaging students in the lower grades sooner so that they gain a better understanding of the opportunities present at the high school and in college.

Pupils in Somerville schools come from diverse linguistic, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds, and bring a range of learning styles to the classroom. What can the City do to provide every child with access to a high quality public education, and what will you do as a School Committee member to further that vision?

The achievement gap that exists across schools and across different socioeconomic groups within schools is unacceptable. The School district has many programs in place that work to address these issues. But many institutional barriers still stand and finding solutions that meet the needs of all parents is challenging. With that, I believe that high-quality education is happening in every corner of the school district. Dedicated teachers and staff work overtime to ensure every child receives an excellent education.

Another eye-opening experience for me has been getting to know the Next Wave/Full Circle program. These are alternative middle and high schools with a high level of staffing for every student, including counselors. It works and is a real model of how dedicated staff can engage a student and help them graduate from high school.

How will you create a town-gown relationship with Tufts comparable to that of Cambridge and Boston with their universities?

Tufts University can help Somerville schools in two ways. It can encourage and prepare Somerville graduates to attend Tufts or other colleges and it can provide guidance, personnel, and support for our educational activities within the school district.

I was surprised to learn of the many ways Tufts is already involved in Somerville’s schools ranging from working with individual schools, to Shape-Up Somerville, to allowing any Somerville resident, including high school students, to audit any course at Tufts.

But there is much more that can be done. We have already begun discussions with Tufts to engage the University in a more coherent relationship that should be more effective. There are many programs that Tufts offers to other cities like Boston or Medford, but not to Somerville. We offer many advantages to Tufts and we must cement this relationship in a more organized manner. Some ideas that have been floated include instituting Tufts Kids to College program in our elementary schools, target recruitment and preparatory activities for students early in high school, and making use of professors and classes in assisting our younger students.

What will you do to stop the flight of young families away from Somerville public schools?

There are two major reasons young families leave Somerville schools. First, the cost of housing is too high. Many immigrant families rent in Somerville and then go to Lawrence or another community to own. We are losing some of our most talented and most industrious families. The condominium craze in Somerville has created a great need for family housing. I believe that we, as School Committee members, must advocate for the creation of more affordable, family housing in our zoning ordinance.

Second, families with means choose to not participate in Somerville’s schools – or choose to leave after sixth grade. Sometimes their choice is based on legitimate concerns. But, it is often also a choice based on false fears or misconceptions. We must address these misconceptions and work toward changing attitudes.

What specific steps will you take to improve the graduation rate of Somerville students?

We have initiated a wonderful 8th to 9th grade summer transition program that is designed to support students entering high school. We know that a students held back increase their chances of dropping out. This is not a problem unique to Somerville. Many other districts are struggling with the same issue. But I believe we are just beginning to acknowledge it and take positive steps to fix the problem.

What specific steps will you take to improve the post-graduate prospects of Somerville students?

One of the real eye-opening realizations for me on the School Committee was the tremendous vocational program offered by Somerville High School. It includes fourteen certification-based programs and extensive career orientation. This is a hidden gem in Somerville’s school system.

We must encourage more students to apply to college and for those applying, to apply to colleges that are a “stretch” college for them. This is part of the Aspirations work that is being done at the elementary school level.

Then there are practical things that can be done. The new House system is designed to make a closer connection between students and guidance counselors and to lower the counselor-student ratio. We could be more aggressive about providing links between students wanting to go to college and advocacy groups that can help students’ families apply for green cards so the students can apply for financial aid.

What specific steps would you take to reduce the waiting list for adult literacy and ESL classes?

If there are waiting lists for adult literacy and ESL classes, we should find the money to hire qualified instructors. It’s that simple. And, better yet, let’s locate the classes in our elementary and high schools.

What specific steps will you take to promote pay equity in Somerville? (see http://www.mass.gov/women/payequity/payequity.htm#legislation)

I’m not familiar with this legislation.

What else should we know about your candidacy?

I have been able to develop good working relationships with other progressives on the school committee and board of aldermen and with the Somerville State House delegation. At the same time, I have developed warm and productive working relationships with committee members and community members of other political stripes.

My best work, and the best results, come from working toward consensus. I believe this style has been effective in bringing people together on progressive issues. For example, the long-term goal to develop greater multicultural understanding and increase staff diversity was initially voted down and the committee was headed toward a rancorous split on this issue. By listening to fellow committee members, we were able to move from positions to agree on a set of interests that we shared.

Lastly, I would say that my professional experience as a Town Manager and working as the Director of Administration and Finance at the Massachusetts Municipal Association has been a real asset on the School Committee.