Candidate Profile: Laura Pitone

For Somerville Patch's 2013 election guide, we asked all candidates running for office in Somerville the same three questions, and we posted their answers without editing them. Here are the responses from Laura Pitone:

Question: What are the two most important issues facing Somerville right now, and what would you do on the Board of Aldermen to address those issues?


Going door-to-door, I hear people say they want our schools to have high expectations for all students and for families to feel confident in and excited about sending their children to the Somerville Pubic Schools.  This requires hiring and retaining excellent staff – offering opportunities for professional growth, promoting staff participation in setting school priorities and also formalizing staff collaboration through more shared, contracted planning time.  These efforts, combined with continuing to promote the successes of our schools and to engage families, will spread positive messages about the SPS in our community. 

The second most important issue for the schools is meeting the needs of our diverse population including those who need additional academic, language or social and emotional support as well as students who meet expectations and need additional challenges.  The earlier we identify and provide support to students, the more successful they will be and the more resources will be available to all students.  I will advocate for the training and support needed to make early identification and student support a reality and to foster a culture of inclusion.

Question: Tell us about your background.

Over the past six years, I have dedicated my time, energy and passion to the Somerville Public Schools.  As co-chair of a parent teacher organization, I have focused on community building, communication and fundraising.  For the last three years, I have served as an elected parent representative on the Healey School Improvement Council, which was charged with redesigning the school.  I’ve learned so much about the perspective of teachers and administration as well as about approaches to teaching and learning.

Professionally, I’ve worked as an engineer and more recently, as a business and information technology consultant.  I’ve used my skills and experiences – an analytical approach and how to bring people together – to support my children’s school.  This is what I would like to do on the School Committee for all students in Ward 5 and citywide.  I want the Somerville Public Schools to continue to make thoughtful investments in our programs and staff to bring long-term, sustainable improvements to our schools.   

My husband Tom Cole and I have been homeowners in Somerville for twelve years and have two children, Avery and Ethan in 2nd and 6th grade, at the Healey School.  We live on Rogers Ave. 

For more on my background, go to www.laurapitone.com.

Question: Why should Somerville residents vote for you?

I understand our schools and the challenges they face and have high aspirations for their future.  I have experience collaborating with parents, teachers and administrators.  I’ve worked on getting parents involved in the schools – one of the best predictors of student success -- and I’ve advocated for teachers to receive the support they need that in turn gives students the best possible education.  I believe that the voice and participation of our whole community – school staff, parents and all residents – will yield the best and most successful ideas and priorities to build the future of the Somerville Public Schools. 

website:  www.laurapitone.com
email:  laurapitoneward5@gmail.com
facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LauraPitoneWard5
phone number:  617-684-5531