Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
I moved to Lexington from Boston with my husband, Ian, 19 years ago. I am a stay at home parent, and began volunteering in our community and our schools almost immediately. We have two children who’ve gone all through Lexington Public Schools, and are currently a college sophomore and an LHS junior. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where my dad was involved in Town politics and campaigning. He brought my brother and I along as volunteers, which sparked my life-long interest in government and politics, particularly at the local level.
We have put down deep roots here, and are proud to call Lexington home. My volunteer roles have centered on education, local arts and culture, community service, and local elections. In my first Town Meeting term I learned a lot about how we govern ourselves, and the critical role Town Meeting Members play in sharing information with friends and neighbors. I believe the strength of our community relies on our own efforts to create and sustain it, caring for each other and the greater good as best we can.
Music is a big part of our family’s life. I also enjoy traveling, connecting with people, family adventures, and walking on the Minuteman Bike Path.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I first ran for Town Meeting three years ago as a write-in candidate. I had thought about running for a few years, and suddenly there was an open seat, so I got organized and got elected. I strongly believe that there are many ways to give back to our community, and that we should all contribute what we can to make Lexington the vibrant community where we want to live and raise our families. For many years, I have volunteered with organizations that enhance education, family life, and local cultural events. I ran for Town Meeting because I wanted to better understand how our Town works, and how the services and amenities that we take for granted are created and maintained. I also wanted to share what I learned with others.
I am running for a second term as Lexington faces two critical issues: the urgent need to replace LHS, and the zoning changes that will bring many new residents in the next few years. It is critically important that the Town continues to provide the excellent education and services that our residents expect as we manage these changes. As a Town Meeting member, I will continue to prioritize our schools, prudent management of Town resources, and a thoughtful approach to development. We know tax increases are coming, so it is more important than ever that we plan and spend as efficiently as possible.
I will also continue to share and discuss issues with friends and neighbors, contributing to a better informed electorate, which is vital to our self-governance.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
I have volunteered with a number of local organizations over many years focused on education, community building, arts and culture, and local elections. These roles have enabled me to get to know a broad spectrum of Lexington residents while contributing to our community. Being able to hear from and listen to a variety of perspectives enables me to better understand the issues we face, and to make the best decisions I can when I cast my votes at Town Meeting.
My community volunteer experiences include:
- Yes for Lexington Debt Exclusion Campaign, 2024–present
- Lexington High School Parent & Caregiver Discussion Group Moderator, 2024–present
- Lexington Council for the Arts, 2023–present, Co-Chair 2024–present
- Town Meeting Member, 2022–present
- Lexington High School Site Council, 2021–2024
- Lexington Symphony Board of Directors, 2017–2023, Co-President 2019–2023
- FISH Driver, 2020–present
- Diamond PTO Board, 2016–2020
- Lexington Education Foundation Board, 2015–2020
- Lexington School Committee Campaigns: Campaign Co-Chair, 2019 and 2020; campaign committee volunteer, 2016, 2017, 2022
- Hancock Nursery School Board of Directors, 2013–2016
- Debt Exclusion Campaign Committees: YES for Our Schools 2012, YES for Lexington 2016
- Estabrook PTO Board, 2011–2016
- LexFUN! Board, 2007–2013
- Member and volunteer, Church of Our Redeemer
I understand that our opinions are as diverse as we are as people. Even when I vote the same way as other Town Meeting members, we may have completely different reasons for doing so. While I am clear about where I stand on most issues—yes on the Bloom plan for a new LHS, yes on hopefully managing the pace of denser housing development so that our infrastructure can keep up—I respect that there are compelling reasons for other opinions, and I am open to hearing from folks on all sides of an issue. Let’s discuss our reasons for disagreeing, understand what we have in common, and how we might meet in the middle. And when I ultimately have to make my vote, I will do my best to make the decision that best benefits our community as a whole.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
It is critically important that we proceed to replace LHS according to the plan the School Building Committee (SBC) has submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority: the Bloom design, built new, on the existing fields. It is the least expensive, most efficient, and least disruptive option among all of those that were considered in an exhaustive and publicly transparent process. To pursue any other option will only further delay the project, and risks losing ~$100 million in state funding. LHS is severely overcrowded, lacks adequate facilities, and its infrastructure is failing. The more we delay, the more we pay.
There is no question that the Bloom plan is expensive, but the per square foot cost is similar to that of all other other high school projects currently underway in Massachusetts.
We have waited too long to undertake this project, and inflation in construction costs over the last five years has dramatically impacted the cost. Unfortunately, there are no cheaper alternatives. Staged projects are more expensive, take longer to complete, and are more disruptive to our students and community for a longer period of time. Further delay also means two unacceptable realities:
1. Inadequate and failing facilities are already negatively impacting our students’ educational experience–that impact will be more deeply felt with every delay.
2. We will continue to spend large amounts of taxpayer dollars to limp along these ailing buildings, hoping to avoid complete failure of the HVAC or other critical building systems.
And all the while, costs will continue to rise.
It is incumbent upon us as a community to educate our children. My children were educated in facilities that were paid for both before I came to Lexington and while I have been a resident. Even after my children graduate, it is still our responsibility to provide an education for the kids who come after them. It is part of what we do for each other as a community. Lexington values education more than most towns–it’s one of the reasons Lexington is such a great place to live–but we have let LHS slide to a point where there is no practical or cost-effective option to fix or upgrade it.
I will continue to work with the Yes for Lexington campaign to pass a debt exclusion later this year to fund the new LHS. I will also advocate that the Town use our stabilization fund— currently ~$40 million—to mitigate the tax impact of this project for our most vulnerable residents.
Thank you for the privilege of serving Precinct 8 these last three years! I have truly enjoyed my first term as a Town Meeting Member, and I sincerely hope to win your vote to return for a second term. I believe that participating in our democracy is one of the best ways to serve our community, and I welcome your questions and opinions. I will continue to advocate for common sense solutions and spending, and for enriching the lives of our residents through education, culture, and community building. Thank you for your consideration. Please vote Monday, March 3rd!