SUZANNE BARATTA
OWAYDA
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 2001
Published March 8, 2001
We are writing in support of Suzanne Baratta Owayda as a candidate for School Committee in the election on March 31st.
I first met Suzanne when a small group of parents, met to discuss creating an advocacy and education forum for parents of public school students. We developed a plan and produced several newsletters, with the support of the public school administration, designed to educate the community about the work being done inside the buildings – both the newly renovated and older buildings.
Suzanne immediately struck me as thoughtful and willing to learn about the issues that appeared important to the Arlington community. Although she had grown up in Arlington, she was new to town and she and her husband had given a lot of thought to settling down in Arlington to raise their children.
She also gave a great deal of thought to any issues that were raised, even when a quick emotional response to a problem might have been simple and appropriate. Instead, she educated herself on MCAS, on the frameworks, on integrating different issues into the curricula and on how we could support the teachers in Arlington.
Her thoughtfulness and desire to address issues comprehensively are important characteristics in both a leader in our community and in a working member of the School Committee. We believe that Suzanne can both lead and develop coalitions based upon facts and dedicated to solving real problems.
One of Suzanne’s goals is to develop means to support the most important resource to our schools, that is, our teachers. We are coming up to a time when there will be the opportunity to hire new teachers as many of our more experienced teachers retire. This opportunity is huge and Suzanne is committed to finding solutions to attract and retain the talent that we need to continue to move Arlington toward the truly first rate school system that it can be.
Suzanne is raising a young family here. She also grew up here and has an
understanding for why Arlington is unique, vital, and the place we have
all chosen to live. Suzanne will make a valuable member of the school
committee and we urge voters to cast your ballot for Suzanne Baratta Owayda
on March 31st.
Nora Mann
Peter Correll
Wollaston Avenue
Suzanne Baratta Owayda recently announced her candidacy for School Committee.
I met Suzanne as she was an incoming Kindergarten Parent at Stratton School three years ago.
Almost immediately she started asking tough questions about curriculum and the newly adopted Massachusetts Frameworks. I was a member of the School Council at the time and she also requested copies of the "draft curriculum frameworks" provided by the Massachusetts Department of Education, for personal review.
She routinely attended School Council Meetings as an observer, and later became an active member of the Council. She was never afraid to ask tough questions, or to look for reasonable solutions. I also had the privilege of working with Suzanne on the successful campaign to rebuild and renovate our schools.
We served together as Precinct Coordinators for the Stratton School District. I found Suzanne to be organized, articulate, intelligent, and committed to the cause of equal and exceptional educational experiences for all students. Suzanne frequently attends School Committee meetings, volunteers in the classrooms, and serves as a Town Meeting Member for Precinct 13.
To serve on the Arlington School Committee you need tremendous energy. I know Suzanne has the energy and stamina necessary, because in her role as a soccer coach she keeps up with the young players at every turn - which is no easy task.
In Suzanne's professional life, she works as an advocate for children for the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. She is now offering to serve as an advocate for children in the Arlington School System.
Suzanne has proven her commitment, demonstrated her talents, and has earned
my support and my vote. I am confident she will earn yours.
Please join me in casting one of your two votes for Suzanne Baratta Owayda
for School Committee, on Saturday, March 31st.
Laura Munsey
Ridge Street
Arlington, MA
A vote for Owayda
The election on March 31 offers us the opportunity to give a seat on the Arlington School Committee to a thoughtful, well-prepared and dynamic parent of school-aged children. That person is Suzanne Baratta Owayda, a native Arlingtonian, lawyer, and Stratton School parent.
Suzanne is not new to town government. As a Town Meeting member of Precinct 13, she made it a point to learn about all of the issues facing the town, not just the schools. She has a keen understanding of the need to further develop a partnership with the community and an active relationship with state and local politicians.
In a time of tight budgets, Suzanne knows the value of fiscal constraint and accountability. She will lobby hard for the schools, with an eye toward examining all possible resources. Most importantly, she has made it her business to be an active, well-informed parent, volunteering in the classroom and serving on the Stratton School Council.
She has regularly attended School Committee meetings for the past two years and has an excellent understanding of the issues facing the schools; budgetary priorities, completion of the Rebuild of all schools within the target budget, hiring and retaining excellent staff, to name just a few. Suzanne is both determined and extremely well-qualified to be a School Committee member.
Please make her your choice on March 31.
Judi Bohn
Town Meeting Member
Precinct 8
Familiar faces support Owayda
We have lived in Arlington for over 40 years and it is here that we have raised our family of five daughters. All are products of the Arlington School System and all went on to receive advanced degrees.
We are proud of all our daughters and quite proud that Suzanne has taken on the responsibility of seeking a position on the Arlington School Committee. She feels that she should give back to the town that has given us so much and that is one of the reasons she is campaigning for such a position. Another reason is that she believes that the schools are of the utmost importance in preserving Arlington as a fine community that will attract new people who will also take pride in our town.
Suzanne is a hard worker and has consistently demonstrated that throughout the years. She worked part-time at the Robbins Library throughout high school, worked through college to help finance her education and then attended law school while still working at her professional job at a large food company. Since relocating back to Arlington she has been active and involved. She is a Town Meeting member, was a precinct captain for the Campaign to Rebuild Arlington Schools, is a member of Stratton School Council as well as a classroom volunteer and with her husband has coached soccer for the past 3 seasons. Suzanne is also a lawyer who volunteers as a legal advocate for children.
We are pleased that Suzanne has the ambition, time and energy to seek a position on the Arlington School Committee. We believe that if elected, Suzanne will be as dedicated and passionate about school issues as she has been about all her previous endeavors. She has the ability to collaborate well with the other members and will provide meaningful contributions to the Arlington School Committee.
We hope you will consider voting for Suzanne Baratta Owayda on Election
Day, Saturday, March 31st.
Ann and Frank Baratta