Congratulations to Nancy T.

Thanks to everyone who went to the polls on Tuesday. It was a lousy weather day, and I spent most of it wet, campaigning for the Progress for Cambridge slate.

Happily, one member of the three PFC candidates won a seat on the Cambridge School Committee. Nancy Tauber ran an excellent campaign and captured the sixth seat on the Committee. Gail had a respectable number of votes and could very well capitalize on her increased name recognition in 2009 if she choses. Stefan is a young candidate with plenty of opportunities ahead of him.

I enjoyed supporting these new candidates, although the slate idea garnered some criticism. Fact is, unless you come from a political family, it is darn hard to learn how to run a local campaign. You need help, you need advice. You collaborate with you slate colleagues, who may, in turn, help you on election day when the transfers kick in.

That's what happened on Tuesday.

I was happy to help because, sooner or later, you have to replace yourself in office, as in life. I was also happy to help bring some new candidates onto the scene, too. If someone has the energy, the will to serve others, and ideas that they believe in, why not run for local office?

On the other hand, no one, I mean no one, really knows how hard it is to run a competitive grass-roots campaign until they try. (For women who are most often still the primary caretakers of children, it's even harder.) Even incumbents can be taken by surprise by how much effort it takes in every election. That was certainly the case for me in my second run in 2001, when I found myself in a recount. It may also have been the case for Richard Harding who lost on Tuesday. You have to be brave to put your name on a ballot and face the prospect of losing. So hats off to Richard, as well as to those who won.

Just to dream for a bit, I would like to see Cambridge elections become a little bit easier for new and old alike. In many places in Massachusetts, running for School Committee isn't such a big deal. You don't have to raise as much money and, since the terms are longer, you don't have to run as often. If this was the case, I think more people would run.

So congrats to Nancy Tauber, whom I first met only earlier this year at a meeting about the Achievement Gap Forums. Even though we share a first name and some of the same beliefs, she's her own person. I look forward to watching her make the seat her own in the next two years.

A lot at Stake in Election Tomorrow

Dear Readers,

If you live and vote in Cambridge, you have the power to make sure our school system stays on its present path of improvement. There are at least three candidates in this race who have voted (Harding, Nolan), or say they will vote (Nolan, McGovern) to replace the top educational leader in this city.

This would be a real mistake that would shake our school system to the core, just when it is starting to soar. Superintendent Fowler-Finn has been primarily responsible (in my 10+ year perspective) for bringing a coherent approach to improvement in the NCLB era, while still making sure our kids get a well-rounded education. He's also worked with two principals at the high school to implement a new schedule and other programs that are paying off.

Here is a letter I sent to my supporters yesterday, outlining my reasons for supporting three new candidates in the race: Gail Lemily Wiggins, Stefan Malner and Nancy Tauber.

Please consider the following when you go to the polls:


Continue the Momentum -- Vote for Progress on Tuesday

Dear Friends,

In my day job as an education writer, I read many stories about districts where schools are improving -- only to experience a change in the school board that stops the momentum in its tracks.

Change is inevitable on school committees; but elections don’t have to spell the end of improvements. You have the power to make sure our schools continue to make headway in Cambridge with your vote on Tuesday, November 6.

How can you do this?

You can cast your top three votes for new candidates to the Cambridge School Committee who are committed to:

-- building on initiatives that are resulting in better student outcomes and increased confidence in our high school and 12 elementary schools.

-- collaborating with our professional school leaders and staff in a constructive way, to guarantee more positive momentum for all our schools and programs.

Please cast your #1, #2 and #3 votes (in order of your preference) for:

(in alpha order):

GAIL LEMILY WIGGINS -- an experienced manager and counselor and longtime parent-leader in the schools her sons attended (CRLS, Graham & Parks, Tobin and the Fitzgerald) who’s also been on the board of many Cambridge organizations.

STEFAN MALNER -- a policy analyst and recent college graduate, committed to expanding opportunities for students and to continuing to move CPS to a more student-focused culture.

NANCY TAUBER -- an experienced middle school teacher and curriculum innovator who has served four years as co-chair of the school council at Graham & Parks, where her two young children are enrolled.

As you probably know by now, my name will not be on the ballot this year. But I know that these candidates are as focused on the things that really drive school improvement as I have been: quality teaching and engaging, well-rounded, relevant curriculum. All of them would be excellent school committee members from day one. As one of only two women on a seven-member board, I am also pleased that two new women are stepping forward to serve.

Finally, contrary to one “robo-call” you might have received, my seat is not the only vacancy on the School Committee. ALL seats on the Committee are up for grabs and therefore vacant until determined by the voters. So please don't forget to vote on Tuesday and don't forget to spread the word to your friends. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more on these candidates, go to www.progressforcambridge.blogspot.com, which has links to the new candidates’ websites and facts about progress being made in our schools. You can also call me at 617-876-4582.

Feel free to forward this e-mail to any other interested voters you know.

See you at the polls!