Do you know the candidates for Amherst School Committee?
Read on for more information. All three candidates have made recorded statements at Amherst Media that are available online. Links below.
(Candidates listed alphabetically)
Laura Kent
For the past three years I have volunteered and served on the board of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools. Through my work with SEPAC and navigating the special education process, I believe firmly in the importance of family engagement to support our schools in a positive collaborative way, focusing on the needs of all students. To School Committee I bring strong interpersonal skills, leadership and commitment to each diverse learner in our community. I come with the objectivity needed and ameagerly willing to devote the time in fulfilling my duties as a member of this committee on behalf of our community.
Campaign Website: www.kentforamherst.org and www.facebook.com/KentforAmherst
Amherst Media statement:
Vincent O’Connor
As a school committee member, I'll work to renovate/replace Fort River and Wildwood, and maintain three K-6 elementary schools; expand revenue and revenue sources, not increase fees or cut programs and student-contact staff; promote aligned but diverse curricula, instead of teacher supervision directed toward classroom uniformity; keep separate the Middle School and its team- teaching approach; subject significant High School scheduling/building changes to thorough evaluation pending finalization or adoption of other important changes.
Amherst Media statement:
Anastasia Ordonez
Anastasia Ordonez is the mother of a first-grader at Fort River Elementary, and a soon-to-be kindergartner, and she's running for one of two open seats on the Amherst School Committee. Anastasia believes it’s important to have parents with a direct stake in our children’s future serve in positions of leadership in our community. But she also has worked for more than 15 years to help communities get tools and information about early literacy and brain development, healthcare reform, workers’ rights and many other issues so they can make change happen for the better. Now, she wants to use her communications, budget and project management skills to help Amherst parents and residents have a voice in the decision-making process that affects our public schools.
You can read more about Anastasia on her campaign website, www.voteanastasia.org, or on her Facebook page at
Amherst Media statement:
The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a Town Candidates Forum on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:00pm in the Town Room at Amherst Town Hall.
The local election for the Amherst School Committee and other elected positions will be held on Tuesday, March 29th. Polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm.