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Claire Sokoloff

Dear Friends,

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my web site. I am the Ward 6 School Committee representative and currently serve as the Committee’s Vice-Chair. I was first elected in November, 2005 and am seeking re-election to my third term in office. This is a contested, city-wide race. All registered Newton voters can vote.

I am running for re-election because I love our City and the Newton Public Schools (NPS). We have an engaged citizenry, involved families and high quality educators. Yet I worry about the future. We have a chronic operating gap that is chipping away at our system-the buildings are neglected, class sizes are rising, resources are constrained. We can and must do better.

The good news is that we have been working hard to bring new energy and ideas to our schools. If re-elected, I will:

  • Implement the New Strategic Plan-I served in a leadership role on the Strategic Planning effort, which establishes a new vision, mission and core values for NPS. The Plan sets forth 5-year goals and objectives for enhancing students’ education, attracting and engaging the best and brightest educators, expanding beyond traditional school boundaries (technology, partnerships, new educational models), and reviewing and adapting programs to operate within our means.
  • Hire and Supervise a Dynamic, New Superintendent-Newton’s next Superintendent needs to be a world class educator, change agent, skilled communicator, and tough-minded decision-maker who can achieve excellence within a limited budget. The next School Committee will hire this individual, and work with him/her to establish clear and measurable goals.
  • Provide Responsive Constituent Service-I will continue to draw upon my extensive relationships and deep knowledge of the K-12 experience to advocate for children and families. I will continue to work tirelessly to respond on a priority basis to individual family and school-specific issues.
  • Improve Communications and Public Engagement-I helped to launch the School Committee’s e-newsletter, reformulate the web site and sponsor interactive public meetings. I worked alongside the Citizen Advisory Group and support their recommendation to conduct regular, confidential teacher surveys, which I would extend to parents as well.

The bulk of my career has been as a partner in an international consulting firm specializing in innovation and change. I have taught change management, creativity and collaborative problem-solving to corporate clients as well as MBA students at Yale (where I received my PhD in Organizational Behavior) and Boston University. I’ve served the Newton Public Schools in many volunteer and activist roles including PTO President at Bowen and Oak Hill, PTO Council Political Action chair, and Chair of the Newton South High School Council.

I am excited about this campaign.  I see it as opportunity to talk with you about my experiences and ideas and, more importantly, to learn more about your hopes and dreams for Newton.

Sincerely,

Claire

Please visit the web site for the Newton Democratic City Committee for information on the 2009 City elections and more.