ATTENTION CAMBRIDGE VOTERS !

. . . YES, I am running in 2007! I love working for you, Cambridge residents! I am thrilled to be on School Committee, and want to continue serving you.

I have been working very hard this term. I make a positive contribution to our policy discussions, our district's momentum, and our city's schools. As I pledged, I have focused unwaveringly on our common goal: a school district that is the best in the state.

My tendency to be inclusive, to listen, to ensure all points of view are heard, and to communicate openly and thoroughly has proven valuable as my colleagues and I work together. My professional experience working with people from all walks of life, not caring as much about getting credit as about getting something done, and striving for consensus also prepared me well. Through collaboration, respecting our differences and mutual learning from each other, we are each making a difference. My management training has played an important role on the School Committee, adding to the mix of skills around the table.

I make a difference by bringing to bear my management education, my consultant training, and my ability to digest and synthesize information. I have accomplished a lot, but also recognize that success is a team effort. I never forget that voters put me in office, expecting a lot. My impact includes:

• more acceptance of the idea that Cambridge should be comparing itself to high achievement districts, not low income ones,
• redirecting almost a million surplus dollars into schools this past school year,
• leading the way to making our district's policies, practices and planning more environmentally responsible,
• finally commissioning comprehensive market research, which identified issues like teaching to the test, classroom behavior and uneven educational quality, as needing more attention

I hope you have followed what I have been doing, like it, and will support me. I especially need everyone who supported me in the past to support me in this election, my first re-election effort. There have been several first timers who lost, partly because voters figured they were bound to win again. PLEASE don't let that happen to me! With your help, I can keep up the positive momentum for continued improvement, and continue demanding high level accountability so crucial to our district's success.

True to form, I remain an issues-based member and candidate. I have been working hard doing the job — providing analyses that contribute to a better understanding of the issue we face, and continually asking how we can better use our unbelievably high budget ($25,000 per student total, $20,000+ for state comparison purposes, taking out Special Ed tuitions and transportation costs).

I have not changed my tendency to go in-depth, and make sure we have the right level of information about important issues. With your encouragement, I have proven that I could stay true to my principles and serve you well. As always, I welcome questions, comments, critical responses.

With heartfelt hopes for a successful campaign,
Patty
Your # 1 School Committee candidate

Parents and residents across the city, both Cambridge-born and immigrants, are united in wanting a voice for accountability and positive energy. They endorse Patty NOLAN, an unwavering advocate for excellence and open, transparent policymaking.

Since being elected, Patty has worked hard, continued her insistence on holding Cambridge to the highest standards, raised the bar on environmental responsibility in school district policies and pushed for more resources in our classrooms. She has not forgotten the promises made while a candidate, and has been a valuable addition to School Committee. Her leadership has contributed to an ever improving district and more open dialog on a range of issues.

Download and print. Patty's Tri-fold brochure. A great gift for anyone interested in our city! And please ask everyone you know to vote # 1 for Patty on November 6.    (Get Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe.)

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