Editor’s Note: Per the SOURCE election policy, each candidate is allowed to submit an announcement in their own words for the election. Town of Ashland election is May 16.
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ASHLAND – I’m thrilled to announce that I am seeking re-election to the Ashland School Committee. My name is Laurie Tosti. I am an attorney and former hospice worker by profession.
I serve on the board of a non-profit cancer charity.
For the past 12 years, I have served on the Ashland School Committee. I was vice chairwoman for 2 years, and chairwoman for the past 10 years.
My husband and I are from Framingham and have lived in Ashland for 32 years. We have four children and have experienced every grade level at Ashland schools from pre-school through high school. Our kids played sports, joined clubs, participated in different academic programs, and had a variety of learning styles and challenges. Now, some of our children are educators and coaches in town, and we continue to be fully committed to Ashland students and families. I’m passionate about education. Our children are college educated with professional degrees and I’m proud of the foundation they received in Ashland schools. I wish to continue to participate in making Ashland a model district, where we can all expect the education here to be excellent, inclusive, equitable and inspiring.
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As chairwoman I have worked closely with our superintendent, administrative team, government officials and school committee colleagues to move the district forward in many important ways. It’s been my job for 12 years to understand what is happening in our school district. In that capacity, I have had many opportunities to lead, serving not only as the long term chairwoman, but also speaking publicly at many events and graduations, serving on multiple negotiating teams, mentoring others, teaching courses, sitting on several hiring committees, and advocating at the state and local level for funding.
During my tenure, I’ve participated in many important decisions, including the implementation of tuition free full day kindergarten, the hiring of a Director of Counseling and Social and Emotional learning, the implementation of in house special education programs, the reinstatement of our libraries, the expansion at the Warren School, the increased diversity in our hiring, the hiring of a Director of Communication, the application for and passage of funding for a new elementary school, the hiring of our superintendent, and more.
I’ve spent 12 years developing excellent working relationships with all of my colleagues on school committee and our superintendent, assistant superintendent, principals and staff, including town management and elected officials, which has made all of us more effective in our roles serving Ashland students and families. The impact of years of fostering an environment of collaboration and respect cannot be overstated and the town and the schools have done some tremendous work together because of it.
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It was an honor to receive the MASC All-State Committee award in recognition of my support for children and public education in Massachusetts. My children had graduated by that point, but my commitment to the students and families of Ashland has never wavered. Since my children have graduated, I continue to travel with about 40 Ashland High School students every year on a service trip with the Make A Wish club. It’s my favorite thing to do and it’s connected me to hundreds of students over the years who have a heart for service. I attend programs offered at the schools in addition to accept invitations into the classroom to read. I have chaperoned the model UN students at their competitions. That my children have graduated is not an obstacle to my serving on this committee. Instead, it has made me more available to focus on your children and how we can give them the best experience possible in Ashland schools.
Moving forward, there is a lot I hope to do. I want to continue to make sure we implement suggestions from our equity study. I want to make sure students and families have a voice and that we have strong two way communications. I want to improve our elective offerings so students can explore more of their interests. I want to make sure every student who leaves our system feels prepared for college or work. I want to participate in implementing our next strategic plan. I want to encourage students and have high expectations for them and make their experience meaningful. I want to strengthen connections between students and adults and to make sure every single person – student or staff member- knows that they matter. I want to continue, as I feel proud of the great work we’ve done but as always, there’s more to do.
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I am running for re-election because I believe it’s a great honor to serve Ashland schools and because my years of experience, along with my skill set help me to make a positive impact on the education of Ashland children. The perspective I bring to the committee is unique, and is one that benefits the entire community.
I’m on Facebook at Laurie Tosti for Ashland School Committee or at Laurie Weiss Tosti
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MassBay Community College