Politics & Government

Candidates Discuss How Skills, Experience Fit with Melrose School Committee

Candidates for School Committee recently participated in the Melrose League of Women Voters Candidate Forums at the Roosevelt Elementary School.

Candidates for School Committee recently participated in the Melrose League of Women Voters Candidate Forums at the Roosevelt Elementary School.

For about an hour in the school's Cafetorium, the candidates answered several questions submitted to the League of Women Voters prior to the forums. Melrose Patch will be presenting their responses in a series of stories prior to the Nov. 5 election.

School Committee Race

All seven School Committee candidates participated in the forum, as they are vying for three four-year seats.

Here's a look at what the candidates had to say about how their skills and experience would mesh with the School Committee:

Jessica Dugan, a mother of two children, kicked off the forum.

"My skills...come from a variety of areas," Dugan said. "First and foremost, I'm a parent of two young kids. My commitment and my passion for their educational experience is tremendous...and I bring that skill to the committee. With my experience over the last 15 years, I have been working with nonprofits and in schools to develop resources to enhance education.

"I have been in schools that work and I've seen things that don't work, and I've learned a lot about how to take ideas and put them into practice so my professional experience will contribute as well to the committee."

Dugan added that she is willing to ask tough questions, and by collaborating with others that will lend itself well to the School Committee.

Gerald Mroz discussed how he will look at school-related issues in a different way than others.

"I fit into the committee because I have a different perspective. I've made that clear over the last few years in terms of bringing on more reform agenda to the school system," Mroz said. "...When I look at things, I'm essentially a systems thinker. I tend to look at the big system and about how we can reallocate what we do and how we do it to make it better for all of our students."

Lizbeth DeSelm, a scientist, soccer coach and hospice worker, said she does a variety of things in the community and knows how to problem-solve and work with other people in a team effort on projects.

"I also know how to ask really tough questions to get at the truth and to get answers so we can move forward," DeSelm said. 

Edward O'Connell discussed the importance of getting others involved in the policy-making process.

"I think job one for the School Committee is engaging the public, and in particular our most important constituents. That is our parents, our students and our teachers," O'Connell said. "I think those stakeholders have to be more involved in the public policy making of the city."

In that effort, O'Connell said he brings advocacy, consensus-building and negotiating skills to the table, as well as "a passion for public service."

Jason Kraunelis, who has a public affairs degree from Northeastern University, said he has been a stay-at-home dad for the past 10 years and has raised three children. He added that he served as a substitute teacher for Melrose Public Schools last year.

"...I'd like to be a representative there (on the School Committee) as a clear-minded father and parent...representing all the parents out there," Kraunelis said. 

Carrie Kourkoumelis, a current member of the School Committee seeking reelection, said she is a parent of four children—all of whom have succeeded at Melrose Public Schools, with two graduating college and two still in college. Kourkoumelis added that she is a professional concert harpist and longtime teacher.

"I have many translatable skills from the rigorous training (I've had)," she said. "I've seen many educational models, I've performed at schools all over the country and I feel that we have much to give here in Melrose to our students. We have a very generous community (and) we want to see our students succeed at a very high standard. Excellence matters here and I feel like I can help bring excellence to Melrose Public Schools."

Christine Casatelli said her background is as a journalist, and that she earned a dual degree in broadcast journalism and psychology from S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. 

"I developed my passion for education when I taught English in Japanese public high school in Kyoto, Japan," she said. "I went on to earn my master's in public administration at the Kennedy School at Harvard University with a concentration on negotiation and conflict resolution. 

"Now I have the best job in the world: I'm the manager of the news and education program at the Boston Globe where I work to give online curriculum and digital Globe subscriptions to teachers all across New England."

Check back with Melrose Patch, as we'll continue to break down the School Committee candidates' responses to questions fielded during the League of Women Voters' Candidate Forums.


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