In Arlington, as in many places, the local political season usually gets underway after the December holidays, but this year, some activity has already begun. In November, Cindy Starks took out  papers to seek a seat on the School Committee, and incumbent Jeff Thielman is seeking relection to one of the two open seast in the April Town Election. Sue Sheffler, the other incumbent, has not responded to request for comment as to whether she is running.

Thielman, a School Committee members since 2003, said in a statement Dec. 7:

"At the moment I'm focused on addressing the significant challenges we face as we put together the budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. I intend to run for re-election to the School Committee and will begin planning for the April election after the holidays.

"The events of the past year certainly have given me pause. Now, more than ever, we need a strong commitment from elected officials and a willingness to dig deep for ways to continue to provide high-quality education to Arlington's young people.

"I have a renewed sense of purpose and passion for children in our community, and I'm committed to respectful dialogue and leadership on the School Committee and in all public offices. This is the only way we can move forward, particularly as we face what may be the worst fiscal crisis in a generation.

"I have learned a great deal over the past six years on the School Committee and have more to contribute to the town and the schools during the next three years. I continue to be passionate and excited about the potential we have in the Arlington Public Schools and am committed to doing all I can to ensure that every student in Arlington receives a first-class education."

Starks did not provide a statement, but offered the following background Dec. 7:

This is her first run for a School Committee seat, but she is known for her focus on education since moving to Arlington in 1998.

For the two years she attended Lesley, she helped to found the Arlington Enrichment Collaborative, Arlington's first and only middle-school after-school program.

Her school-community involvement began in the fall of 1999, when she was invited to attend a meeting of the Bishop Science Committee. At the elementary school level, she volunteered extensively with the PTO, helped run a Girl Scout troop, worked in the school cafeteria and helped to bar-code books at the school libraries.

Starks was on the Arlington Technology Council. Her interest in town politics spurred, she helped to run several campaigns for School Committee and selectmen.

She was one of several people who created the food allergy policy for the Arlington public schools.

She is co-chair of the Arlington Stand for Children team, a position she expects to leave, and co-chair of the Ottoson Parent Advisory Council (OPAC).

She retired from high tech in May 2000, but before that, she held positions at Oracle Corp, Shiva Inc, Integrated Computer Solution (ICS), and Data General.

Born in Michigan, she lived in Michigan and Iowa until she was 8.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut in 1988 with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, specializing in computer science, Starks expects to graduate in February from Lesley University with a master's in education and a license to teach middle school math. She is currently doing a practicum (student teaching) for getting her master's and teaching license.

She is married with two children in Arlington public schools, one at Ottoson and one at the high school.