I am writing to recommend Jeff Thielman for School Committee. I have known Jeff since he first ran for School Committee in 2003 and have always been impressed with his calm manner and knowledge of the issues. Jeff served as the co-chair of the successful 2005 override and fiscal stability campaign, which prevented many school layoffs and other cutbacks. I was closely involved in the running of that campaign and was most impressed with how well Jeff worked with different groups of people across Arlington to ensure we wouldn’t lose needed services for the schools and the town.

The special education department in Arlington used to be a system that denied many children needed and legal services, so that Arlington was written up by the state. Under Jeff’s and others’ leadership, that has turned around. Jeff fought to improve special need services, to increase early reading programs, and to improve ELL (English Language Learning) programs. We are now in compliance with the state, and students’ reading scores are improving. That’s a concrete change.

Arlington, like other school systems, is going through tough times. We need School Committee members who are dedicated to education and understand education issues. When you vote for school committee, examine each candidate to see what their experience and commitment to education is. Jeff has been on the School Committee for six years now. He has worked for the non-profit Cristo Rey Jesuit High School program, which serves inner-city youth, since 1997, and raised over $18 million for it. He has been the executive director of that organization since 2000, so clearly has been committed to and understands educational issues affecting students at all levels.

Mostly I believe that Jeff Thielman will continue to bring his consensus building skills and vision for improved education for Arlington’s students to the School Committee. We need Jeff Thielman’s experience in these tough fiscal times.