Allison-Ampe seeks 5th term, eyes school strategy

The following statement is from Kirsi Allison-Ampe, who is unopposed in seeking reelection to the School Committee.

Allison-Ampe

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Arlington School Committee. I was first elected in 2010, and so many things have changed since then.

We have increased our school's enrollment by more than 22 percent, far above other local towns. We have hired a new Superintendent and dealt with the challenges of Covid.

We have built the new Thompson, renovated the Stratton, added the Gibbs for our sixth graders, and have just opened the first wings of the new high school. The new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and Performing Arts wings are beautiful spaces equipped with tools and technology that will allow our dedicated teachers to reach even greater heights.

Over the past years, I have been proud to help bring all this change about as one of the seven members of our School Committee. I have also pressed both locally and at the state level for appropriate funding for our schools. I have served as a member of the Arlington High School Building committee and its communications subcommittee, the Superintendent Search Committee, and Arlington’s Long-Range Plan committee.

The next few years will bring more challenges and uncertainty, but also opportunity and excitement. Covid has changed our student enrollment demographics, and we are still working out how total enrollment is being affected.

Our new superintendent, Dr Homan, presented her entry plan, showcasing both strengths and areas for growth. Next, she will be working to create a new strategic plan for the future, gathering input from the community to help align the Arlington Public Schools with best educational practice and the community’s goals.

I seek a fifth term on the School Committee because I would like to be part of this planning process, and because I believe that my experience, understanding and institutional memory are useful right now.

If elected, I will continue to ensure our students and our staff are at the heart of the decisions we make. I am especially concerned that all our different populations are heard from and considered – special education, families of color, LBGTQ+ and more.

Since 2010, I have worked hard to enhance and improve our children’s education. I would like to continue this important work for another term. I hope you will agree, and respectfully request one of your two votes on April 2.

This news announcement, which includes opinion, was published Tuesday, March 22, 2022..