I am proud to have two kids in Cambridge Public Schools, one entering 6th grade and the other entering 11th grade. Our schools have countless resources from our dedicated and talented teachers, staff, families, and partners from community organizations and City programs. Despite our strengths, we still have work to do to close racial, gender, and economic opportunity gaps so that all of our children have the tools and support they need to thrive, and to achieve anti-racism and racial equity in every Cambridge classroom.
My commitment to these issues comes from my own public school education as a child. I did well academically, loved my teachers and made lifelong friends – things I hope all of our children experience. But I didn’t have enough agency and could see disparities in opportunity in my diverse hometown. We must use our immense resources here in Cambridge to advance education equity and ensure all kids have joyful, enriching school experiences so they can succeed on their own terms before and after graduation.
During my time on the School Committee, we have made meaningful progress toward the larger goals I have articulated consistently in my campaigns. I am running for re-election because we are not done yet: these are long-term projects and it will take strong leadership and continued commitment to see them through.
As a parent, former public school teacher, and scholar of education, I have experience with the important issues from many angles. If re-elected, I promise to continue engaging with the families of Cambridge and using my experience to increase opportunities for all of our children.
I know the classroom. I know our community. I know how to build consensus. I am accountable to you.
I ask for your #1 vote on November 7th, 2023. I look forward to working with you!
– David
ACHIEVING RESULTS FOR OUR CHILDREN - SOME HIGHLIGHTS
FREE UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL
We are launching free universal preschool in fall 2024 for every 4-year-old and many 3-year-olds. I’m proud to have been a leader in getting the support and funding for programs and staff that will make this groundbreaking step successful.
INDIVIDUALIZED “CRADLE TO CAREER” SUPPORT
We are now building the coordinated system of support I advocated for, including Individualized Student Success Plans, mental health services, afterschool, college and career guidance, early college, internships, and apprenticeships. We must ensure that in our new system no child falls through the cracks or lacks support to reach their potential.
ALGEBRA 1 & THE SCIENCE OF READING
Throughout our curriculum, we must set the floor high – and we must not impose ceilings. I successfully pushed CPSD to establish equitable pathways to Algebra 1 for all before 9th grade, and to shift to science of reading-based early literacy instruction to make certain all of our children can read at grade level.
INCLUSIVE, SAFE SCHOOLS
I continued to speak out against intolerance in our schools, calling out racism, antisemitism, misogyny and homophobia; supported LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff; and updated our hate and bias-related incident policy.
ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE
I was lead sponsor of the policy that committed us to a fully electric Cambridge school bus fleet by 2030, and will continue to push our schools to act boldly to address climate change.
PANDEMIC RESPONSE
I worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure that our health and safety measures were guided by the best available research, in partnership with our teachers and our families. And, I stayed focused on making progress toward our short and long-term educational priorities even as we managed our pandemic response.
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