Why I’m supporting Stu Sklar

I am supporting Stu Sklar for re-election to the School Committee. Stu has been a tireless and outspoken advocate for the Harvard Public Schools, both locally and on Beacon Hill. He recognizes the need to push for adequate education funding and has been instrumental in helping to establish a higher minimum level of Chapter 70 funding for towns like Harvard. Through his work on the Suburban Coalition and other advocacy groups, he has extensive relationships with policy makers and legislators at the Statehouse, and he has the tenacity to fight for reforms that are good for our town and schools.

During his first term on the School Committee, Stu was a key player in advocating for and negotiating the contract to educate Devens’ K-5 students. In spite of opposition, he recognized that this was an excellent educational option for the students residing at Devens and a critical source of revenue to ease the burden on local taxpayers. These contracts have been instrumental in helping Harvard avoid significant cuts and teacher layoffs during the recent economic downturn. As chair of the School Committee, Stu worked cooperatively with other town boards and administrators to handle midyear cuts from the state and build budgets that preserve school services. In short, Stu understands the need to balance adequate school resources with the fiscal limitations of residents; as such, he is dogged in his pursuit of nontaxpayer revenue sources and municipal reforms that don’t compromise schools or taxpayers.

In addition to these efforts, Stu has served as a liaison on both the Bromfield and Hildreth Elementary School councils and has a child at each school so he is personally vested in the entire school system. His deep knowledge and passion for the schools and his proven willingness to fight for adequate education funding at all levels make him a key member of the current board. Let’s keep Stu on the school committee.

LAUREN B. HUNNEWELL

Harvard