Chris Messman
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My name is Chris Messman and I wish to let you know that I am running for a seat on the Georgetown School Committee in the upcoming May 11th election. It is my hope that by sharing my background and views with you, you will consider supporting my candidacy.
My wife, Lynn, and I have lived on Central Street in Georgetown for 20 years. Our two children, Mike, a junior, and Molly, a freshman, have attended the Georgetown school system since Kindergarten. I have spent four very rewarding decades in the computer industry as a software developer, and Lynn, having undergone a recent career change, is now an English teacher at the Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School.
I have been involved in our community for a number of years in many different ways, serving on town committees, participating in our recreational organizations, and supporting our schools. My community service includes:
- Having been a member of the GMHS School Council for the past three years;
- Serving as one of the initial members of the Affordable Housing Taskforce;
- Serving for two years on the Georgetown Cable TV Committee;
- Organizing and directing the PTA/Penn Brook School Ski Club for five years;
- Participating, for many years, in our GAA Basketball program, both as a coach and as a current board member;
- Arranging for two separate donations of learning and office software to our elementary schools while employed by Microsoft Corp.
My three-year term on the GMHS School Council will conclude in June of this year and I would like very much to continue serving our schools. Participating on the district level as a member of the School Committee seems like an appropriate way to do this.
The major and on-going tasks before the School Committee include:
- Managing the district budget to maximize opportunities for our students and to minimize any loss of personnel and resources;
- Planning for the near-term and future demands on our district school facilities;
- Dealing with the current challenge to the accreditation of our middle/high school;
- Participating in contract negotiations with employee bargaining units;
- And supporting, year-over-year, improvement plans that yield steady progress towards achieving the goals of our district and school mission statements.
I believe that my service on the GMHS School Council has prepared me to address a number of these important issues. The charter of the School Councils in Massachusetts is to conduct annual budget reviews with the facility principal, assist in identifying educational needs of the students attending the school, and formulate an annual school improvement plan. Our School Council also reviews, with the principal, the on-going status of the NEASC Accreditation Progress Report.
I strongly support the following programs and initiatives as beneficial to our schools and to our community at large:
- Promoting the use of 21st century learning tools among our teachers and students, including effective use of Internet resources, wireless networking, and productivity and presentation software tools.
- Promoting the timely dissemination of clearly stated School Committee agendas, minutes, and information to the community.
- Maintaining our School Choice program which enriches our school community and provides significant additional revenue to our district.
I would truly appreciate any help that you might offer me ... spreading the word of my campaign among your neighbors, displaying my campaign sign on your property, but especially, your vote.
Please feel free to call me (978-352-7598) or email me (chrismes@msn.com) with questions or comments about my candidacy.
I sincerely hope that you will support me in this effort.
Best Regards,
Chris Messman
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