Q: What aspects of your personal and/or professional experience most qualify you to serve on the School Committee?
Liz Cobbs
I have had a wide-ranging career, first as an academic (Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Chicago) and then as a business executive at Merck & Co., Inc. where I developed and managed teams and budgets while working in Asia, Japan, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. I lead by building effective strategies, setting realistic goals that can be measured and where accountability is clear. I approach budget management as an opportunity for cross-committee dialogue allowing for transparent communication that aligns objectives with available funds. In Concord I have devoted time to learning how town government functions and am using my skills as co-chair of the Personnel Board. As a member of the Rotary Club of Concord I chair the Rotary District Youth Leadership Program. As a school volunteer I’m active with the METCO program and at Alcott Elementary School. Through this work and as a parent of two children in our schools, I am sensitive to the needs of students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I am happy to have the time and the skills to devote to serving on the Concord School Committee.
Andrew Herchek
I have two kids who are third generation beneficiaries of Concord Public Schools. As a graduate of Thoreau, CMS, and CCHS, and now as a parent, I have been closely connected to our schools for 30+ years and I care deeply about them. Professionally, I have degrees in mathematics, mechanical engineering, and a master’s in business administration, and I have spent my career leading teams and solving problems by collaborating with stakeholders and leveraging data to gain insight.
Tracey Marano
My personal and professional experience give me unique advantages over the other candidates. My four children have made their way through the Concord Schools over the past nineteen years. In those two decades, I’ve served as president of: Milldam Nursery School, Alcott PTG, CMS PTG, and Concord Ed Fund, as well as CCHS PA Representative, Alcott and CMS School Advisory Council, SEPAC Board Member, and in the last two years — chair of the Regional SC. My dedication to education is unmatched, and has served me well. My professional experience in Bedford Public Schools as a special education teacher and assistant principal allows me to be a sounding board to the administrative team, who recognize that my experience provides me with the knowledge and expertise to be a valued partner in decision-making. I prioritize collaboration, transparency, cooperation, and honesty — as I believe the many letters of endorsement in the Bridge have highlighted. I will continue to advocate for the needs of our students to ensure that the tradition of excellence continues in the Concord Schools.
Q: Do you support spending $2.34 million to build a new amenities building at the CCHS playing fields, and why or why not?
Liz Cobbs
I support the need for an amenity building that will provide equitable services for all students, families, and visitors at sporting events held on the fields at CCHS. After dialogue with town officials and in response to public comment, the School Committee will not be moving Article 21 asking for $2.34 million for this project at the Annual Town Meeting. I support the School Committee taking more time to explore alternative designs and funding sources that would be more cost effective.
Andrew Herchek
Twenty years ago my CCHS graduation was held on a cold, rainy day in June and due to the conditions and poor accessibility my grandparents could not be present on the field for the ceremony. Today, the field has been updated but it’s still not conducive to everyone, especially those with physical challenges. There is no doubt that better amenities are needed. However, given the cost of the new middle school, and considering all the money the town has invested in school facilities over the past two decades, this is not a top priority in our town. While not ideal, non-permanent solutions are sufficient at this time.
Tracey Marano
Advocating for bathrooms at CCHS has been one of the largest challenges I’ve faced as Chair of CCRSD. How does one balance the moral commitment to ADA compliance, especially in the context of our Strategic Plan, that commits to making our schools campuses “welcome to all,” with the commitment to keeping Concord affordable, especially for seniors. This project transcends compliance with legal requirements; it represents a commitment to our community, especially those with disabilities. The lack of accessible bathroom facilities in a decade-old building highlights a shortfall that demands our attention. This building represents more than a legal obligation; it embodies a moral one. However, we will instead move forward only with a feasibility study and design of an ADA compliant facility, which will provide citizens with greater detail about this necessary project.
Q: Of the challenges facing Concord schools today, which is specifically your top priority, and how would you address it if elected?
Liz Cobbs
As a member of the School Committee, I will dedicate my energy and efforts to ensure that all our students feel a part of the community, are challenged by high and achievable expectations, and continue to develop skills that will be the foundation for a life-long love of learning. The Concord Schools have returned to pre-Covid levels for student MCAS results. I will continue to foster academic excellence in our schools by enabling our teachers and administrators to provide a robust curriculum. It is important to measure our goals through available testing data and to foster a learning environment that prioritizes overall student wellness.
Andrew Herchek
Concord schools operate at an extremely high level, and fortunately, our challenges are not as immediate as those in neighboring districts. Concord is facing an unprecedented influx of students over the coming years. This year, we welcomed 30+ students into our public schools from the Concord shelter, with more expected to enroll in the next few years. We will also see school enrollment increase with the potential 40B housing projects, as well as other potential large-scale housing plans on the horizon (e.g., the MCI-Concord site). While I don’t have a comprehensive solution today, I believe we need thoughtful leaders who are willing to work with other town boards and committees to ensure we are prepared to accommodate more children. And, we need to accomplish this without sacrificing the quality of our education or putting more financial stress on taxpayers.
Tracey Marano
Education is different from when I was a student, it’s different from when I was a teacher, and it’s even different from when my oldest (graduated from college) was a student in Concord. My priority is to ensure that our schools are equipped to offer the support and opportunities every student needs to thrive. I will continue to advocate for the needs of our students while working collaboratively with the finance committees of Concord and Carlisle to bring fiscally responsible budgets to both towns.