Meet the 3 Harwich residents running for Monomoy Regional School Committee

Yahoo

21-05-2025

When Harwich voters head to the polls for the annual town election on May 20, they will see three candidates on the ballot vying to join the Monomoy Regional School Committee.
The committee only has one vacancy, according to the town website. Tina Games-Evans is not seeking another term.
The Times asked the candidates for biographical information and answers to four questions, listed in alphabetical order by last name.
AGE: 40
TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich
LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 16 Years
WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Lieutenant Firefighter / EMT
EDUCATION: Associate Degree in Fire Science; Bachelor Degree in Building Materials and Wood Technology
CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Participate in annual town meetings; This is my first time running for a town committee
The key strength of the Monomoy Regional School District is the amazing teachers and staff that work for the School District. As a parent, I am always in awe of the dedication from these teachers and staff, not only during school hours, but outside of school hours as well. From running after school clubs and events to showing up at a student's sporting event even when they don't personally have a child involved, our teachers and staff constantly go above and beyond to support our students.
Another key strength is the knowledge and insight that the School Committee provides on every topic. When you add to that the steady leadership and guidance from Supt. Scott Carpenter, it creates a tight-knit team that always keeps the success of students in focus.
While our School District is one of the best, a weakness that could be improved upon is communication with parents. The School District sends out weekly email updates, but when a parent has a question on a particular issue, it is sometimes difficult to get an answer. I personally ran into this with the Integrated Preschool Program for next year and other parents reportedly ran into this with questions regarding the air quality at the Middle School.
The biggest issue that I want to address is updating the Monomoy Regional School District regional agreement. It was very clear from the joint meeting on this topic between Select Board representatives from Chatham and Harwich that the Harwich Select Board is not satisfied with the current funding formula while the Chatham Select Board does not want to make any changes to the current funding formula. We need to resolve this difference.
The next issue that I want to address is finding a replacement for Supt. Carpenter who can lead the Monomoy Regional School District for years to come. Dr. Carpenter recently announced that he will be moving on from the school district after the next school year. We need find a new superintendent who can continue to build upon the strong foundation that currently exists in our school district.
The third issue that I want to address is ensuring better communication between the School Committee and the Select Boards. At the meeting when School Committee was set to vote on the final budget, the Harwich Town Administrator delivered concerns on behalf of the Select Board regarding the FY26 Budget. These budget concerns should have been communicated much earlier in the process.
I plan to address the regional agreement by working with the School Committee and the Select Boards from Chatham and Harwich to reach an updated agreement. I will advocate for creating a cap on the foundational enrollment funding formula. The exact number for this cap would need to be negotiated in order for all parties to sign off on it. Creating a cap would make the school district budget assessment for each town more predictable year over year.
I plan to address the superintendent replacement by being an active participant in the search and interview process. I will advocate for the School Committee to assemble an Interview Committee that includes representatives from the School Committee, administration, teachers, and parents as well as Supt. Carpenter. This will allow all stakeholders to provide input when choosing the next superintendent.
I plan to address the communication issue by serving as a School Committee liaison to the Select Board. I plan to notify the Select Board of the date and time of the Annual Budget Workshop and the Budget Public Hearing as well as provide other relevant updates. This would allow the Select Board to communicate concerns earlier on in the process.
I have always been a numbers person. I believe that my ability to break down and organize data from presentations will make me a valuable member of the School Committee. I hope that the public watches my speeches regarding the Integrated Preschool Program during the public comments section of the January 9 and January 23, 2025, School Committee Meetings. This is the type of critical analysis that I plan to provide as a member of the School Committee.
I will use my experience of serving on multiple interview committees at my workplace when deciding who to hire as the next superintendent. I understand that it is not always about hiring the most qualified candidate. Hiring a candidate who is the best fit for the school district will be equally if not more important than being the most qualified.
I will also use my experience of serving on many negotiation committees at my workplace when discussing the regional agreement with the Select Board. I understand that negotiations are not about make one side feel like they won while the other lost, but rather compromise. I will help the Select Boards remain focused on the goal, which is to continue to provide the best school district for the students.
AGE: 39
TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich
LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 8 years
WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Public Works employee, Town of Chatham
EDUCATION: High school graduate; attended Gateway Community College in New Haven, Connecticut
CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Public Works employee for the town of Chatham; president of the Chatham Municipal Employee Association; Advocate for workers' rights in the Commonwealth
Harwich is a town built and sustained by working people. From public employees and small business owners to teachers, tradespeople, and first responders, Harwich thrives because of its dedicated residents. These are people who take pride in their work, care deeply about their neighbors, and show up for one another in times of need. That sense of community, quiet resilience, and shared responsibility is what defines Harwich. It is a place where people support each other not for recognition but because it is the right thing to do.
Harwich's beauty and character are unmatched. We are fortunate to have scenic beaches, peaceful ponds, and vast conservation areas. But our town is also rich in civic and cultural resources. Our libraries, parks, historical sites, and community center serve as gathering spaces that strengthen our connections and help us pass on our values.
That said, Harwich is facing serious challenges. Housing is increasingly out of reach for the very people who keep the town functioning. The lack of affordable and workforce housing threatens the stability and identity of our community. This must be addressed to keep Harwich strong and inclusive.
The first priority is advocating for more affordable healthcare options for Monomoy employees. Healthcare costs continue to rise, impacting both staff and taxpayers. A major driver of that increase is our region's current health care plan structure. While the Monomoy district has actively advocated for change, the town of Harwich has historically been underrepresented in these discussions. I believe Harwich should have a stronger voice in the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group to help ensure that the needs of our employees and the town's taxpayers are prioritized.
Second, we need to make Harwich more livable for young working families. Expanding preschool and early childhood education, and exploring accessible summer programs, would support families, boost school enrollment, and help working parents stay in the workforce. These are investments in the long-term health of our community.
Third, I want to ensure Monomoy maintains its strong reputation as a district that delivers high-quality education. That means continuing to support our educators, investing in effective programming, and listening to the needs of students and families so that Monomoy remains a source of pride in our region.
To address the rising health care costs for Monomoy employees, I will work closely with the School Committee and town leaders to ensure that we are effectively advocating for the needs of school staff at the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group. I will push for better options that prioritize both affordability and quality coverage for our employees, with a focus on reducing the financial strain on families and the district.
To make Harwich more livable for young working families, I will support initiatives that strengthen our local schools, like expanding preschool programs and exploring opportunities for summer enrichment. These programs provide valuable support for working parents and help young children develop the skills they need to succeed. I will also work to ensure that the School Committee is an active voice in broader community conversations about affordable housing, as stable housing is crucial for families looking to settle in our town and for sustainable educators and support staff to reliably be there for our children.
Lastly, to maintain Monomoy's reputation as a top quality district, I will prioritize supporting our teachers and staff, advocating for necessary resources and professional development. I will also work to foster open communication between the School Committee, families, and the community to ensure that all students continue to receive a high-quality education in a supportive environment.
I care deeply about this community. I care about our students, our educators, our families, and our future. That care comes from many places. I am a father to a Monomoy student. I am a year-round resident of Harwich. I work for the town of Chatham, our partner in this district, as a public works employee. My connection to this region is both personal and practical, and I understand what it means to serve.
I have spent my time advocating for working people and speaking up for fairness. I believe that every person in our district deserves to be heard and respected, whether they are a teacher, a student, a school staff member, or a parent trying to give their child the best start in life.
What I bring to the table is a commitment to listening, to learning, and to doing the work. I believe that all we truly have is each other. Serving on the School Committee is not about having all the answers, but about being present, being thoughtful, and standing up for what is right. If I am elected, I hope to earn this role by being someone my neighbors can trust and count on.
NAME: Ann Marie Varella, aka Ms. V, and Colton or Cooper's mom.
AGE: 51
TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich
LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 21 years
WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Public School Educator/Program Director for Behavioral Health Innovators, Inc.
EDUCATION: Master of Education in Mathematics, and Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Public School Educator for 25+ years, Service Learning Communications for my Church, Volunteering for the Family Table Collaborative, the Math & STEDLN Leader Networks from DESE, the Developing a Continuum of Services for Advanced Learning cohort from DESE, the Mass Learning Project, the One8 Applied Learning Hub, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Massachusetts, the Friends of Pleasant Bay and the Sipson Island Trust, the Programming and Computing Equity (PACE) and MIT Teaching Systems Lab team, the RootEd Consulting Team of Groveland, MA, Zero-L at Harvard Law School, Lesley University with Shell Education, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee for Monomoy Regional School District (MRSD)
While Harwich is a beautiful community to live in with an incredible opportunity to participate in civic engagement through annual town meeting process, Harwich and the Monomoy Regional School District benefit from a number of key strengths, most notably the dedication and experience of the teachers and staff. Students in MRSD have access to a wide range of enriching opportunities—including sports, clubs, internships, and other extracurricular programs—many of which are made possible through the initiative and commitment of district personnel. Families also benefit from a strong, collaborative relationship between the administration and the Monomoy Regional School Committee.
At the same time, there are areas where continued growth would strengthen the district. Transparency around accountability measures related to student achievement and instructional quality remains a priority. Additionally, there is potential to more effectively manage per-pupil spending and expand access to state and federal grant funding. Lastly, building and sustaining meaningful community partnerships represents an opportunity to enhance educational outcomes and support district-wide goals.
One of my key priorities is to improve transparency within the community by sharing interim student performance data aligned to the standards and indicators required by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In addition to academic metrics, I believe it's essential to include qualitative feedback from educators, students, and families about their experiences with district procedures and initiatives.
I also seek to promote greater fiscal responsibility across the Monomoy Regional School District. With a business degree from Bentley University, I understand the importance of balancing financial stewardship with educational priorities. During my 11 years of teaching at Peabody Elementary School in Cambridge, we emphasized transparency in budgeting and in the selection of professional development providers. By involving staff and families in decision-making aligned with student needs, we saw mathematics proficiency rise from 55% in 2012 to 72% in 2019.
Finally, I believe in the power of community partnerships to enhance student learning. I actively support service learning initiatives and foster collaboration across schools and districts. These efforts not only deepen educational impact but also strengthen the broader network of support for students across Massachusetts.
As an educator with 25 years of experience, I seek feedback from students, families, and colleagues to improve. To deepen this collaborative approach, I propose implementing a regular feedback cycle—soliciting input from students and families three times per year and from educators at both the mid-year and end-of-year points. This data is invaluable for making informed decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of all stakeholders. While I may not personally know every member of our school community, those who do know me understand how deeply I care about their voices and experiences.
Regarding fiscal responsibility, MRSD's current per-pupil expenditures are 22% higher than the state average. This is an important opportunity to evaluate the return on investment, particularly by examining student outcome data. In previous roles, I've successfully secured grant funding. I would continue to support efforts to pursue additional external funding to support district-wide initiatives and professional development.
Finally, I believe that cultivating and expanding community partnerships demonstrates the district's long-term commitment not only to student success, but also to the collective success of families and the broader community. These partnerships play a vital role in strengthening educational outcomes, expanding opportunities, and reinforcing the district's core values.
My extensive background in educational leadership, combined with a deep commitment to supporting healthy youth development and community engagement, uniquely positions me to contribute meaningfully to the Monomoy Regional School District (MRSD) School Committee. I am driven by a desire for continuous growth—both personal and institutional—and I actively identify areas for improvement in partnership with community members to develop effective strategies.
In previous roles, I have: (1) Fostered intellectually creative learning environments that promote authentic learning and improved communication of grade-level standards to students and families; (2) Supported educators in implementing evidence-based instructional practices and monitoring student progress; (3) Strengthened fiscal responsibility through the use of data-driven decision-making processes; (4) Facilitated professional development while enhancing community partnerships; (5) Collaborated extensively with school leaders and departments to lead professional learning communities focused on inclusivity and cultural responsiveness
Building trusting relationships is a cornerstone of my leadership approach. I believe that psychological safety—where individuals feel free to take risks, make mistakes, and grow—is essential for real progress. I am motivated by meaningful collaboration, and I firmly believe that through shared engagement and intentional action planning, we can tackle the complex work necessary to achieve long-term success for all.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Harwich: Varella, Fortin and Edwards vie for Monomoy School Committee