Elizabeth Farry and Jamie Wronka, Admins of the Facebook Group “Resource Forum for Hopkinton School Decisions related to COVID-19, 2021-22” endorse Nancy Cavanaugh, Jenn Devlin and Holly Lynn Morand for School Committee.
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THREE YEAR SEAT: Nancy Cavanaugh (Caucus Endorsed Democrat) v. Chris Melton (Caucus Endorsed Republican)
Nancy Cavanaugh, our incumbent School Committee member, has served our community with integrity, care and intelligence for the past six years. Nancy’s continued service on the Committee offers essential continuity. She is an extraordinary wealth of knowledge on the many facets at play in the complex management of our schools. Of the two candidates, Nancy is overwhelmingly best suited to handle the pressing work our community faces in the days ahead, including an unprecedented mental health crisis, a disturbing rise in student bullying and our ongoing challenges balancing our community growth with increasing budgetary constraints.
Nancy is methodical in listening to all stakeholders, defers appropriately to content area experts and approaches her decision making with empathy, thorough deliberation and professionalism. In the rare instances when we have disagreed with Nancy’s ultimate decisions, her approach has instilled our confidence in her commitment as an elected official and her overall approach to important policy decisions. It is worth noting too that Nancy maintained calm and composure in the face of shocking behavior by some of our neighbors. It is not how we treat one another in agreement that shows our integrity; rather, it is our behavior we maintain in the face of discord. We invite you to watch all three School Committee meetings in February to see how Nancy embodied professionalism in the face of profoundly disturbing behavior.
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ONE YEAR SEAT: Jenn Devlin (Caucus Endorsed Democrat) v. Jared Pray (Democrat, Not Endorsed by the Caucus)
We challenge anyone who meets Jenn Devlin to not be energized by her infectious positivity and can-do spirit!
Like Nancy, Jenn Devlin boasts prior Hopkinton School Committee service. Jenn served our schools for one term (2017-2020) and did so with distinction. A doctorate prepared educator for Southborough schools, Jenn brings critical perspective to the Board as a public school educator. What is more is that during Jenn’s term on the Committee, she was a contemplative, caring and professional collaborator with her fellow Committee members and for all stakeholders in our school community.
We have asked around and friends and neighbors from across all political camps and stakeholder groups have shared unbridled relief and elation that Jenn stepped up to run for the one year seat on the Committee. Jenn is a master collaborator and would be an extraordinary asset for the important work for the Committee in the days ahead. With her prior School Committee experience too, there is no doubt that Jenn will hit the ground running on Day One.
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TWO YEAR SEAT: Holly Morand (Caucus Endorsed Democrat) v. Ashley Fogg (Undeclared)
Not surprisingly, we wholeheartedly endorse our former Co-Administrator of this Forum, Holly Lynn Morand, for the open two year seat. But even if we didn’t collaborate with Holly in this Forum or call her friend, she would still have the votes of both Administrators.
Neither Holly nor Ashley have prior experience on the School Committee. However, it is clear what Holly brings to the table are unparalleled qualifications and experience that is exactly what is needed for the two year seat. A social worker, scientist, researcher, engaged public citizen and dutiful parent-volunteer, Holly has been supporting and serving our schools and community at large – – for nearly a decade – – and in ways that bear directly on her qualifications as a School Committee member.
An applied chemist turned social worker, Holly supported our town at large and many school families through her work with Hopkinton Youth and Family Services. (She has also served our neighbors in Milford and Franklin as an in-school social worker.) In her substantial volunteer experience, Holly took on the daunting role of President of the Hopkinton PTA (now the HPTO), overseeing the HPTA’s vast volunteer programs and six figure budget. She has served on multiple School District committees and gives her time regularly to many important local nonprofits, including, but not limited to, the Hopkinton Freedom Team and the Mental Health Collaborative.
Holly’s public service to our community as a concerned citizen and mental health provider and her advanced work as a researcher and scientist (she is currently obtaining a public policy PhD in behavioral health) offer critical skills to address the most pressing needs of our school community. As a School Committee Member, Holly will serve us all proudly with her proven compassion, intelligence and respect for all.
