Candidate Profile: Ross Richmond

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 Ross Richmond:

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?
 

The greatest challenge that our schools face is the fact that over 80% of Somerville residents don’t have children in our school system, either because their children have grown up, they are young, or they have chosen not to send their kids to public school. We all need to be invested in our schools, and with all the change happening in Somerville, now is the time for all residents to say first and foremost we want to be an education city.
 
I have been working hard to reach folks at their door in Ward 5, and the issues that concern parents, grandparents, and prospective parents are strong local neighborhood schools, Pre-K for every child, and rigor and support in our classrooms. 

Local public schools, such as the Brown and Kennedy school, are the foundation on which strong communities are built. I will work to ensure that all of Somerville’s students have access to great schools right in their neighborhood.

I also believe that every child has the right to an excellent Pre-K education and that parents need the childcare Pre-K provides. This is an issue that I have a great deal of experience advocating for on a statewide level through my job at the State House on the Joint Committee on Higher Education. One of the best ways to ensure future success is comprehensive early childhood education. I will ensure that universal Pre-K is made available not only to those children on our city’s Pre-K waiting list, but also to every child in Somerville.

Finally, I want to make sure we support teachers and create an environment in which students are supported, feel challenged, and excel. Somerville schools are improving, but must do better. I will work hard to push for the accountability both parents and taxpayers deserve and bring in state resources and policy experience to help us strengthen and expand early childhood learning, student guidance and family support, and communication expertise for our school district. 
 
Question: Tell us about your background.
 
I grew up in a family deeply committed to public education. My mother was a teacher and is now a principal at the Kenny School in Boston. I attended Depaul University, and I currently work for the Higher Education Committee at the State House. At my job I write and review education policy, as well as advocate on behalf of students and parents across the state to make our schools well funded, more accountable and better connected with parents. My experience in statewide advocacy and education policy, my commitment to volunteering with 4th and 5th graders at the Kennedy School, and the relationships I have built with parents and residents throughout Ward 5 will inform the decisions that I make on School Committee. 

Question: Why should Somerville residents vote for you?

I am running for School Committee to put schools at the center of our vision for Somerville. A strong community is built around great schools, and with Somerville rapidly growing and changing it is more important than ever to get everyone invested in making Somerville an education city. As a school committee member I will advocate for parents of students with disabilities, make sure that all of Somerville’s neighborhood schools are strong, and ensure that all of our children have access to high quality pre-kindergarten education. If we want Somerville to become an education city I believe School Committee needs an understanding in statewide advocacy, policy, and funding. I will use my job experience and energy to bring the values of all Somerville residents into our city’s education vision and ensure we take the right steps forward together. I ask for your vote on September 24th. 

Visit www.rossrichmond.org for more information. And if we haven’t met yet, please call me directly with any questions at 617.863.0177!