Letter: Dietz: Listening and Representation

In the contested race for School Committee, there is a clear choice for voters seeking stronger transparency and communication: Steve Dietz.

For the past six years, I have engaged directly with the School Committee on numerous topics:  superintendent evaluation, cell phone policy, transportation, education technology use, WEA contract, and COVID learning. I have provided public comment numerous times and sent over a dozen emails, often sharing data and best practices.  That outreach led to productive dialogue with several Committee members and administrators, including Alex Cobb, Maija Gooch, Tiao Xie, Superintendent Karen Zaleski, and Assistant Superintendent Neil Trahan.  Unfortunately, I have not had that experience with Adam Newman. I’m grateful for Adam’s term on the School Committee – he ran unopposed in 2023, stepping forward when no one else did.  Since then, however, Adam has been reluctant to engage directly with parents and has been perceived as dismissive of parent concerns.

Steve Dietz is committed to listening. He is, and will remain, integrated in the WPS community:  next year Steve will have kids at the HS, MS, Field, and Country, making him the only School Committee member with kids in any of our elementary schools. He’ll have peers in his ear at BandFest, back to school nights, and on the sidelines about the things that matter to all grade levels.  Steve has promised to listen because he has felt unlistened to.  And I, and other parents who support him, will hold him accountable to this promise. 

I hope you will join me in voting for Steve Dietz on May 2.  No matter who you support, please make your voice heard.

Beth Clymer, Shady Hill Rd