LETTER: School Committee Member Nicholas Golden Endorses Jesse Fennelly & Stephen Turner For School Committee

Dear Neighbor,

Election season is upon us once again, and this year we are very lucky to have contested elections with plenty of capable candidates. As a member of the School Committee, I take particular interest in those elections. Recognizing that, I wanted to take a short moment to write this letter and endorse Jesse Fennelly and Stephen Turner for reelection to the Committee.

I joined the Committee recently, and have been able to see the Committee’s operation from the inside. Many residents may not know just how much time and effort serving on the School Committee requires. On top of the basic biweekly meetings, some members go above and beyond, putting in many, many hours serving on subcommittees, contract negotiation teams, and working groups.

Both Mr. Turner and Mr. Fennelly absolutely fall into that category. Mr. Fennelly has done an excellent job chairing our committee through a turbulent year including an interim superintendent search and several contract negotiations. Mr. Turner and I both serve on the Wildwood School Building Committee, where he has consistently advocated for abutters and students alike. I have seen them both spend hours and hours actively, passionately engaged in the work of giving our students the best possible education.

While many others have spoken in great detail about these candidates and their experience with the new school project, hiring a new superintendent, advocating for improvements at the Middle School, and more, I’d like to emphasize another important aspect: the nature of leadership.

In these times, many politicians see leadership as “who can be loudest.” Those politicians have their set views, and shout down other voices until theirs is the only one left.

Mr. Fennelly and Mr. Turner could not be further from that type of elected official. I have consistently been impressed by their thoughtful approach to leadership and their willingness to listen to other opinions. They look to rise above the sometimes-partisan nature of school debates and keep the focus, always, where it should be: on the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.

I am excited that we will also welcome a new member to our committee after the election. With two of your three votes for school committee, however, I ask you please join me in supporting both Mr. Turner and Mr. Fennelly.

Warmly,

Nicholas Golden