The following letter to the editor was signed by 22 Andover residents, including former select board and school committee members. The views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Andover News. You can learn more about our policy on opinion and commentary on our Mission and Policies page.
We hope Andover voters will join us, on March 25th, in voting for independent Andover School Committee candidates Emily DiCesaro and Sandis Wright. As the only contested local race and one that now introduces a significant conflict of interest, voters should be very concerned. Historically, these races were funded by personal donations with total campaign expenses approximating $3,000. That was shattered last year when the Massachusetts Teachers Association Independent Political Action Committee injected over $15,000 into the Andover Select Board and School Committee races. MTA PAC 2024 Campaign Finance Report
A primary function of the Andover School Committee is to negotiate employment contracts with the school unions including The Andover Education Association (AEA), a local affiliate of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA). The AEA has just announced its endorsement of candidates Christopher Shepley and Jake Tamarkin. If this year mimics last year, when the Massachusetts Teacher Association Independent Financial Political Action Committee contributed nearly $9,000 for the election of two school committee candidates, citizens should be concerned. We do not need members on the Andover School Committee who will serve the financial and other interests of the AEA.
Educators who live in Andover should engage in local elections as desired, but the school unions, who represent many non-residents, should stay out of our local politics. The financing of and engagement in Andover School Committee elections by the AEA and its affiliated PAC creates a severe conflict of interest for Andover School Committee members.
Andover residents deserve to know that those elected to the Andover School Committee will represent the interests of our students and taxpayers without outside influence. Send a message on March 25th by voting for Emily DiCesaro and Sandis Wright who will be beholden only to independently serving Andover’s students and our town.
Linn Anderson Joel Blumstein Windy Catino David Crow
Michael Dolan Judy Eskin Tom Esposito David Floreen
Tina Girdwood Rosemary Halloran Alan Harris Chris Huntress
Ellen Keller Melissa Litton Kate McCready Susan McCready
Mary Pritchard Eileen Reilly Paul Salafia Tracey Spruce
Joe Tavilla Amy Whitehead
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