Rachel Sharifipour for Shrewsbury School Committee

My name is Rachel Sharifipour, and I am running for an open seat on Shrewsbury's School Committee in the May 2nd Annual Town Election. 

I am running for School Committee because I feel strongly that Shrewsbury deserves to continue to have great schools which benefit students, families, staff and town residents. I am running on these principles:

• I care deeply about the Shrewsbury Public Schools as a parent, a volunteer and a resident of the town and feel I can bring a fresh perspective;

• Every student deserves an equal opportunity to the high-quality education Shrewsbury Public Schools has to offer. We, as members of the community, must ensure that every child be given the chance to succeed regardless of ability, income level or English proficiency. We must work together to eliminate inequities in student performance, and we must work together to ensure that the mental and emotional health needs of our students are met;

• I am committed to pursuing vocational opportunities for students with the loss of access to Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School because all students deserve access to the education that will best help them achieve their highest potential;

• We must be able to balance the needs of our students and staff with a fiscal responsibility that we owe to the taxpayers of the community;

• Our students cannot thrive unless the staff of our schools are supported to the fullest extent possible. Our collective success is dependent on their ability to educate and have access to the tools, professional development, and healthy work-life balance.