Letter: Christopher Tracy Seeks Seat on Hanover School Committee

Why I'm running for Hanover School Committee...

Because I want to serve my community and bring leadership, advocacy, fiscal responsibility and long-term planning to the Hanover School Committee. I have an almost 20 year professional career working in and around politics and government – working for Boston Mayors Tom Menino and Marty Walsh and now as a consultant with O’Neill and Associates in Boston. I want to bring my experience and passion to this town and help with one of the most important topics facing all towns across the country today – education of young people.

My wife Kristina and I chose this town, in part, like so many other new families – because of the schools! The new high school and outstanding reputation of Hanover Public Schools is a draw to so many vibrant young families looking to raise a family in a safe, tight knit community like ours; but we must do better for our kids. Last year’s budget cuts, due to the failed override gutted the school system – a disservice to our young people, who the town should be fighting for, not leaving shorthanded. 36 pink slips were handed out leading to increased class sizes, loss of college prep classes, empty and dark classrooms, lost extracurriculars, increased stress in existing staff and missed opportunities for kids entering the crossroads of their lives.

Today’s kids will be tomorrow’s nurses, police officers, business and civic leaders. I feel we must give them every tool they need whether their goal is to enter college, the trades or public service; the future of our nation depends on it.

I want to be part of the solution. Bickering on social media does not help, that’s why I chose to pull nomination papers. That’s also why I currently serve on the Hanover Advisory Committee; I have tried to immerse myself in the complex budget process to understand more to help keep our town as great as it is. I also want to bring accountability, balance and moderation to the conversation when needed, knowing that the town’s Police, Fire and other departments are critical and need sound funding as well.

My experience working in government gives me good perspective on how the totality of the town works and what balances must be sought. My kids are in the school system so its personal to me, but I look forward to engaging all residents, not just parents, during this campaign. I have experience working through complex municipal issues, with people on both sides of the political aisle and I think that is critical here as the health of the school system is key to the town’s ecosystem as a whole.

Thank you!

Christopher Tracy