I know, like and have worked with both Sean Garballey and Jeff Thielman. Each of them has asked me for my support in this upcoming election. We expect them to make tough decisions, so I have to as well.

Both Sean and Jeff recognize that budget realities are changing the school system, as well as the town. Both recognize that funding is beyond difficult, but in my opinion, they disagree about how to address these problems. In my view, Jeff can bring change, which keeps the balance between private rights/needs and government policies.

Jeff has brought about change in our system, and his initiatives have kept a center between students/parents and the administration. Sometimes these changes are unpopular, and the decibel level of the discourse surrounding these issues can distort — but Jeff’s judgment is centered.

As an example — the permission slip form used for school trips. The boilerplate used by communities basically said “Parents, sign your kids over, pay up and don’t come back to us if something goes wrong.” Jeff felt parents should have a say if some events were inappropriate for their child and participate in that decision. So Jeff, with Charles Kazarian and me, developed the current student permission release form that is used in the Arlington system. The new form has parents decide whether a school trip is appropriate or should have other academic work, and the slip has greatly reduced legalese. This is a small point given the magnitude of the current debate, but is one of Jeff’s many steps in the road.

Arlington is at the bottom of the barrel among communities able to expand its tax base — commercial or residential (we have run out of land), and we are too “well-to-do” to expect much more in the way of state support. However, our health care, trash collection and community safety costs rise at the same level of inflation as in our neighboring towns. There will be change; I trust that Jeff can and will influence these events to keep the best of Arlington.