Natasha Megie-Maddrey is one of ten candidates vying for one of the six seats on the Lynn School Committee. Here Natasha discusses some of the major issues facing LPS and why Lynn voters should cast their vote for her in November.
You previously ran for
School Committee in 2015. How have you stayed involved in public education
related activities since then and why did you decide to run again?
I have always been
really involved in my children’s schools, as part of the PTO’s and helping in
whatever way I can. I’ve also participated in several community events
including community build days, clean up days, and the May Day March, to name a
few. I have also talked to several parents over the last two years, many of
which are concerned about communication, bullying, safety, and special needs. I
decided to run again because I want to teach my children that it doesn’t matter
if you fail at something, it matters how you get back up. I want to be a public
servant and help to bring about positive change to the Lynn Public Schools.
Funding for the Lynn Public School district has been a key issue in recent years. What are your thoughts on the school system’s current financial state and ways it could potentially be addressed?
The Lynn Public
Schools should be funded at 100 percent, and anything less than that is simply
unacceptable. I think this problem can be addressed by applying for more
grants, and getting more money into our school system. The children are the
future and we need to fully fund education.
There have been a few contentious votes recently in regard to education including the Question 2 ballot vote on charter schools and the Lynn vote to build a new Pickering Middle School. How would you approach taking a stance on issues that might be polarizing within a given community as an elected official?
I think it is very important to have community meetings when
there are issues that might be polarizing within a given community. It is
also important to respond to voter’s emails and phone calls in a timely manner.
I will always take a stance that is in the best interest of all the children in
Lynn. I voted in favor of building a new Pickering Middle School. Clearly we
needed to do more research into the location, but the Pickering Middle School
is in disrepair and needs to be repaired or replaced. We also need to do a
better job at maintaining our schools so they don’t fall into such disrepair.
If you could spearhead any one initiative related to LPS, what would it be and why? Can voters expect actual leadership on this issue from you, if you were to be elected to the Lynn School Committee?
If I could spearhead one initiative it would be special needs
advocacy. I have two children with special needs, and through my own
experiences, I have learned how hard the special needs system is to navigate. I
want to have several know your rights seminars for parents and caregivers to
ensure that students that need IEP’s (individual education plans) get them, and
once they get them, to make sure they are being followed. Parents and
caregivers are the best advocates for their children, but they must be given
the tools in order to know how to best advocate for their children.
Why should voters consider voting for you for Lynn School Committee?
I am running for school committee because I want to be a voice
for parents and fight for the education all the children in Lynn deserve. As a
parent of 5 children ages 10-21, I have a vested interest in ensuring that we
are providing not just a good education, but an excellent education regardless
of the particular zip code you happen to live in. I will be a tireless
advocate, and will be responsive, and always vote in favor of what would be
best for all the children in Lynn.
For more information:
- Phone: 617-755-3853
- Email: natashamegie@gmail.com
- Website: natashaforlynn.com
- Facebook: @TeamMegieMaddrey
- 2017 Candidate Profile: Natasha Megie-Maddrey
- 2015 Candidate Profile: Nastasha Megie-Maddrey
- Lynn School Committee 2015 Q & A
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