Letter to the Editor: Kinney for School Committee

Voters of Swampscott,

You have heard much from my opponent, Ted Delano, and me on why we are running for School Committee – we have both presented our qualifications to convince you why we each feel we are the best person to serve the needs of the students and taxpayers of Swampscott. We have run a respectful race focused on the positives and have avoided any negative campaigning. For that I respect and thank Ted very much.

As we approach election day in Swampscott, you, the voters, need to elect the candidate that has the best qualifications to continue the work of setting aggressive goals and high standards, so that we will have the kind of school district we all want – a place where our children are challenged and energized – a place where they learn reading, writing, math and science, but also a place where they experience art, music and the world around them - where they work hard, have fun, and push their minds and bodies.

I am the best candidate to ensure that this forward movement continues. The experience I have gained over the last 3 years will serve to carry the work of the committee forward with no loss of momentum. As recently as the last month, the work of those 3 years has started to bear fruit in important ways for the town:

• We have a vote in the House to increase our Chapter 70 aid by 160k for the next fiscal year – this still needs to pass the Senate, and must be signed by the Governor, but I am already known by Senator McGee and his office as a strong champion for this – I will be writing letters and working hard to get this money for our district, and for a full resolution to the Chapter 70 inequities experienced by our town.

• The Chemical Health policy, so vigorously debated, has been in place for a year now and the recent data presented by Mr. Millington shows that it’s working…our kids are considering the consequences or their actions, they are thinking more, they are engaging less in risky behaviors.

These are just a few of the reasons why you should vote to re-elect me to the Swampscott School Committee. I still have work to do, and I respectfully ask for your vote tomorrow so that I can continue doing that work – for our kids, and for the town of Swampscott.

Thank you,

Jackie Kinney