For the second straight year the union representing Andover Public Schools teachers endorsed challengers in the race for two open seats on the school committee.
The Andover Education Association said Friday it would back Jake Tamarkin and Christopher Shepley, who are facing incumbents Emily DiCesaro and Sandis Wright in the March 25 election. The union said it conducted a thorough review of the four candidates and more than 90 percent of its membership voted to back Tamarkin and Shepley.
“Our schools are at a crossroads and this upcoming election is vital to ensure we have fully funded schools with small class sizes and a commitment to excellence,” AEA president and Andover High School history teacher Matt Bach said. “Jake Tamarkin and Chris Shepley will help us protect Andover Public Schools during such uncertainty.”
Shepley, Tamarkin Will Get Campaign Support
The endorsements will likely come with campaign support from Andover Education Association’s parent and the state’s largest labor organization, the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association.
After the AEA endorsed first-time candidates Lauren Diffenbach and Shauna Murray in last year’s election, the Massachusetts Teachers Association spent $4,461.96 to support each woman’s campaign, according to finance reports maintained by the Town Clerk. The women won the two open seats in a five-way race, ousting incumbent Susan McCready in the process.
The MTA’s expenditures included mailings, yard signs, and a mobile billboard.
“The educators in Andover have known for a while that our schools will benefit from a diverse group of elected officials,” Bach said. “Last year, we supported two educators from neighboring communities. This year, I’m proud to support a recent graduate and a strong public schools activist.”
MTA also spent $3,111.95 to support Kevin Coffey and $3,112.96 to support George Thorlin, AEA’s endorsed candidates in last year’s select board race. Coffey and Ellen Townson ended up coming out on top in a four-way race for two open seats. AEA did not endorse either of the two incumbents running unopposed in this year’s select board race.
Coffey said there was no coordination between his campaign and the MTA’s efforts.
“I had…zero involvement in planning any of their activities, and received zero money from them — I wouldn’t have taken any in any case,” Coffey said in an email earlier this month. “I never even saw many of the things they reported doing, but I did get a mail card and see the lighted truck driving around.”
On Tuesday, teachers will be standing in front of schools to raise awareness about the election “to raise awareness of the election on March 25 and why it’s important for the community to be plugged in,” according to Elizabeth Tyrell, the union’s vice president and math teacher at Doherty Middle School.
“Every student deserves a high quality free public education. I don’t understand how larger class sizes and eliminating elective classes fulfill our town’s obligations to that mission,” Tyrell said. “Jake Tamarkin and Chris Shepley have been outspoken on prioritizing resources that benefit our students. They must get elected to ensure our students continue receiving the education Andover is known for.”
Shepley, Tamarkin Attacking APS Budget Deficits
The union has had a tense relationship with the school committee for several years, peaking with a three-day strike in November 2023 when the two sides were struggling to reach an agreement on a new contract. Last spring, AEA was vocal in opposing the district’s budget which cut teaching positions to close a deficit.
Both Tamarkin and Shepley have been critical of the current school board, citing deficits last year and this year as signs of poor financial management. The district is currently trying to close a $1.8 million deficit and has said it will once again cut teaching positions.
“I ran for School Committee because Andover’s schools have been plagued by years of poor leadership, broken trust, and financial mismanagement,” said Shepley, a 2024 AHS graduate who ran unsuccessfully for school committee last year. “The 2023 teachers’ strike exposed just how badly the administration had failed, and since then, we’ve seen two years of budget deficits with more on the horizon. Yet, there’s still no real accountability, no transparency, and no serious plan to fix it.”
Tamarkin, who is CEO of Everyday Life Insurance, has put his 25 years in finance front-and-center in his campaign.
“If this were just a one-time thing, then reducing our workforce a little would make sense to me,” he said. “However, we’re facing a structural deficit, meaning that we need more substantial change to get to a sustainable cost structure.”