DeGrave hopes to be voice of reason in school debates

Date: 3/5/2012

March 5, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

EAST LONGMEADOW — Two years ago, Susan DeGrave came up short in her write-in campaign for School Committee, but this time around, she hopes voters will put a mark next to her name in order for her to aid the committee in what she considers a very important time.

"I ran as a write-in candidate two years ago and was sort of a late entry into the race. I thought this time I had better be sure to get the signatures and get on the ballot. I've been watching some of the School Committee meetings over the past several months and I know there are a lot of items to get through," she said, citing curriculum, technology and school safety as large issues the committee is faced with.

Focusing on curriculum and how it will be affected by potential changes to No Child Left Behind, as well as continuing to close achievement gaps present an ongoing series of hurdles for the School Committee, DeGrave, who has two children in the district, said.

"We need to be bringing kids up to level who may be below level in certain subject matters and also challenging the kids who are on the top end with more enriched activities in science and math," she said. "Moving into the future we really need to have kids who are challenged in science and math, but we have to do it at the same time we make sure that all students are coming up to level and that we address any gaps that exist."

DeGrave said she feels strongly about focusing on bullying prevention and child safety in the school system in the wake of the school shooting that occurred recently in Chardon, Ohio.

"I think there are a lot of issues that need to be discussed and fleshed out about children feeling comfortable, feeling welcome and feeling included, whatever their race, religion, creed or family background," she said. "A lot of parents I have spoken to have expressed the viewpoint that much of this is the responsibility of the parents at home to prevent violence or disturbed thinking. But I have been thinking about this since [the school shooting] happened and I think we as a community need to try to find ways to identify and maybe flag kids who are in trouble."

She added that in her estimation, the district has done well thus far in addressing these kinds of issues in the past, but consistent attention must be placed on it.

"On an anecdotal basis, it seems like East Longmeadow is doing pretty well in terms of following up with responses to reported incidents of bullying and there is a mechanism in place," she said. "That's something that I continue, as a parent, to be concerned with. I want to be sure the kids are physically safe and also that they're emotionally feeling good about their school."

DeGrave also wanted to ensure that the same educational opportunities are available to all students, especially in terms of new technology.

"It seems to me you would want to have all students having access to the same materials and computer devices," she said.

Along with the technology, she said she felt the district needed to come to a better understanding of what appropriate and inappropriate communications through email and other technological means, specifically communications between teachers and students.

Addressing concerns about the School Committee's recent "heated" conversations, she said she felt those exchanges are often unproductive. With more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, she said she has learned "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

"I know that all of the School Committee members have the best intentions and I know all the candidates have the best intentions, but I have had concerns about some of the interactions I have seen on the School Committee," she said. "I hope I can provide a listening ear and a voice of reason and respect. I think it's very important that when negotiating and working with a group that the group try to present a unified front as much as possible.

"Of course you will disagree on issues. The whole purpose is to brainstorm at these meetings and come up with pros and cons, but I think that can be done in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable — both the public who is watching and also the committee members themselves," she continued.

While she said she was pleased that five residents, including three newcomers, were involved in the race, she expressed concerns with opponent Angela Thorpe's intention to run for both School Committee and Board of Selectmen.

"I certainly respect Ms. Thorpe's commitment to the children of East Longmeadow and commend her for it, however, I disagree with her perspective that she can effectively serve on both the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen should [she] be elected to both positions," she said. "I feel those positions are distinct and that there could be the potential for conflict of interest between the two entities and frankly both of those positions would require a significant time commitment."