WHY RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD?
For me, the answer is simple. We to need raise the quality of what we offer the families of Somersworth. When our students, families, and schools thrive, so will our community. This starts with ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education, where parents are involved and informed, and the district is transparent and accountable.
Meet Matt
Some thirteen years ago, when my wife Carolyn and I drove into town for the first time, pregnant with our first child, we looked at a cute house tucked away in the trees and quickly agreed that this will be the place we raise our family.
Here we are years later with two kids enrolled in the school district, two small businesses that started around our kitchen table, and smiles on our faces that we made the right choice.
I didn’t grow up here but I am certainly proud to call Somersworth home.
I grew up in Massachusetts but settled into my New Hampshire roots at an early age, working my first job cleaning tables at a summer restaurant at the tender age of 12, where I learned that you have to work hard and earn the respect of the people around you. I carry that mindset with me to this day. Working as a creative director with clients from across the country, my world is centered around how smart, rational and creative thinking can lead to a connection with people and generate positive results. It is exactly this mindset that I want to bring to the Somersworth School Board. Through the years, I have seen the positives and negatives that exist within the school community and rather than sit back and let other people figure it out, its time to roll up my sleeves and try to make a positive impact.
Improve the quality of education we provide our students on a day-to-day basis.
According to GreatSchools.org, Maple Wood rates out at 3 out of 10, the Middle School rates out at 4 out of 10, and the High School rates out at 2 out of 10. (Idlehurst is listed as currently unrated). While this rating system may not be perfect it is a snap shot of where we stand. In the district as a whole (according to the NH Department of Education dashboard) the ELA Proficiency was 14%, Math Proficiency was 10%, and Science Proficiency was 11% below the state average. (Due to Covid, there are no 2020 statistics). Now I understand that some numbers are statistical anomalies but when they end up being below average year after year, that’s a trend. And one that needs to be fixed.
Prepare our students for college and career readiness.
By 2025 reports suggest that 75% of all jobs will require some level of college education, and we need our students to be ready for those exciting opportunities. Starting from the time they enter kindergarten, students should have a great education and quality real world experiences that prepare them for success after high school. Money and circumstance should not stop students from doing what they want with their future. Every student should be prepared to go to college or make the decision to pursue a career pathway and our job is to prepare them for that opportunity. According to the NH Department of Education, only 43% of our Somersworth graduates enroll in post secondary education.
Ensure the district is transparent and accountable.
I would like to see the district develop more comprehensive, intuitive and user-friendly tools and be more forthcoming with essential information for parents. I believe the district should provide a data summary dashboard on the district’s website that includes a level of budget transparency, facilities information and academic performance information so we can see how each school within the district improves student learning from year to year. This information shouldn’t be just publicly available but presented in a way that makes it publicay understandable so the community can track and make sure schools are delivering on their promise to help every student learn.
Support our teachers and school administrators.
The teachers and school staff are the lifeblood of our district, and we need to advocate for their success so it can translate to our students success. We need to retain more teachers on an annual basis and help recruit more experienced educators. According to the NH Department of Education the average teacher salary for our district is $9,400 below the state average. With budget constraints, this will be a challenge but it is something that needs to be addressed.
To see all the NH Department of Education dashboard statistics, click here and then select Somersworth School District from the ‘Make a School of District Selection’ drop down menu.
Improve the quality of education we provide our students on a day-to-day basis.
According to GreatSchools.org, Maple Wood rates out at 3 out of 10, the Middle School rates out at 4 out of 10, and the High School rates out at 2 out of 10. (Idlehurst is listed as currently unrated). While this rating system may not be perfect it is a snap shot of where we stand. In the district as a whole (according to the NH Department of Education dashboard) the ELA Proficiency was 14%, Math Proficiency was 10%, and Science Proficiency was 11% below the state average. (Due to Covid, there are no 2020 statistics). Now I understand that some numbers are statistical anomalies but when they end up being below average year after year, that’s a trend. And one that needs to be fixed.
Prepare our students for college and career readiness.
By 2025 reports suggest that 75% of all jobs will require some level of college education, and we need our students to be ready for those exciting opportunities. Starting from the time they enter kindergarten, students should have a great education and quality real world experiences that prepare them for success after high school. Money and circumstance should not stop students from doing what they want with their future. Every student should be prepared to go to college or make the decision to pursue a career pathway and our job is to prepare them for that opportunity. According to the NH Department of Education, only 43% of our Somersworth graduates enroll in post secondary education.
Ensure the district is transparent and accountable.
I would like to see the district develop more comprehensive, intuitive and user-friendly tools and be more forthcoming with essential information for parents. I believe the district should provide a data summary dashboard on the district’s website that includes a level of budget transparency, facilities information and academic performance information so we can see how each school within the district improves student learning from year to year. This information shouldn’t be just publicly available but presented in a way that makes it publicay understandable so the community can track and make sure schools are delivering on their promise to help every student learn.
Support our teachers and school administrators.
The teachers and school staff are the lifeblood of our district, and we need to advocate for their success so it can translate to our students success. We need to retain more teachers on an annual basis and help recruit more experienced educators. According to the NH Department of Education the average teacher salary for our district is $9,400 below the state average. With budget constraints, this will be a challenge but it is something that needs to be addressed.
To see all the NH Department of Education dashboard statistics, click here and then select Somersworth School District from the ‘Make a School of District Selection’ drop down menu.
Every campaign needs volunteers. Whether you can help knock on doors, make phone calls, hold a sign, or even just stick one in your yard, if you can help please reach out today!
