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Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley letter to the editor: School Committee candidate Craig Mack—”passionate about serving”

January 12, 2022 by admin

Through the pages of the Swellesley Report, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Wellesley School Committee. As an educator with three children currently enrolled in the Wellesley Public Schools and one graduate of Wellesley High School, I bring a unique perspective to the School Committee.

School Committee members have an immense responsibility as stewards of the Wellesley Public Schools and our children. This requires that all members work together to ensure the effective operation of the school system while planning for the future.

I am passionate about serving our students and our schools. I am committed to the success of our students, teachers, and school administration. In my 27- year professional career, I have served as an administrator and educator at different types of colleges and universities. Currently, I am the Associate Provost at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences University. I understand the complexity of different educational organizations and can bring this perspective to the work of the School Committee.

I am a collaborator at heart and at the same time a fierce advocate for students. I have been successful in my career in academia by being an active listener, an empathetic educator, and by having a balanced approach when working with colleagues. I believe the Wellesley community has a shared interest in the success of the Wellesley Public Schools. Through continuous improvement and by working closely together, I am confident we will continue to move our schools forward in a positive direction.

I am committed to supporting our children and our schools. It would be an honor to represent you on the Wellesley School Committee. I ask for your vote on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Craig E. Mack, Ed.D.
14 Bancroft Road, Wellesley, MA

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Comments

  1. Bill W. says

    January 22, 2022 at 2:32 pm

    Craig,

    Thank you for announcing your run. As a parent in this town, I have one question for you and it’s either a “yes” or “no”. So I kindly ask you answer it please, as I think it’s a very fair question for you, especially considering what you are running for.

    Do you want David F. Lussier to get re-elected again or do you think it’s time for a change? I kindly ask that you give a direct answer to this question as I am sure how you respond will not only influence my vote for you, but many other Wellesley residents.

    Thank you.

    Bill

    • Craig says

      January 30, 2022 at 4:01 pm

      Bill,
      Thank you for your question. This topic is much broader than a simple yes or no response, but I would happy to discuss it with you. Please send me an email at craigmackforwps@gmail.com if you would like to schedule a time to connect. I appreciate your consideration.
      Craig

      • Bill W says

        January 31, 2022 at 4:09 pm

        Hi Craig,

        Thank you for the follow up. Your response is very eye opening and is what parents have been accustomed too with the current school board.

        Good luck!

        Bill

    • Annoyed says

      January 30, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      Bill,
      The fact that he can’t give an actual answer to your question is, in reality, an answer to your question.

      Just like a true politician.

      • Sarah says

        February 9, 2022 at 2:55 pm

        Hi Bill,

        Since Mr. Mack won’t answer your question. You can find it here (his comment below is public record). Think about this for one second! He can’t even answer questions when he is running! Think that will change once he gets elected?!

        “ I’d like to direct my comments to Dr. Lussier, Dr. Chissum, Dr. Ito and their respective teams . . . We appreciate your leadership and your contributions to the education of our children. . . On behalf of the many parents who recognize and understand the standards you uphold I am sorry for what seems like a barrage of social media opinions about how recent discipline cases were handled. . . Thank you for your dignity in the face of such negativity and please know that we see you and we support you. Despite these challenges you have maintained your poise and your professionalism and we thank you. ”
        Craig Mack
        School Committee Meeting
        November 2, 2021

  2. David P says

    January 24, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    Craig,

    I would like to thank you as well. I think one thing that would be very helpful is if you could please post (somewhere) what your policy agenda would look like and if you have any immediate concerns regarding the state of the school system currently and what your plans might be (in either direction) should you be elected.

    Thanks

    David

    • Craig says

      January 30, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      David,
      Thank you for your comment. I have shared information about my goals on my website: http://www.craigmackforwps.com. I am happy to discuss more about this with you. Please send email me at craigmackforwps@gmail.com if you would like schedule a time to connect.
      Craig

  3. Sara says

    January 31, 2022 at 4:26 pm

    Mr. Mack,

    Question for you. My daughter attends the Middle School and students were told (this has been verified by the Boston Globe), that the phrase “Blue Lives Matter” is tied to “White Supremacy” Do you agree with this? Do you also support Critical Race Theory being taught in Wellesley Schools?

    It would be very helpful for people in Wellesley to know your viewpoints on these topics. Thanks!

    Sara

  4. Jane says

    February 3, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    Hi Craig,

    As a parent with 3 kids in the Wellesley school system, who is very frustrated with the board and lack/willingness of them to give a direct response or answer to any of our questions, I kindly suggest you would be better served by giving “direct answers” vs. “trying to play it safe” by not actually answering questions, rather directing parents to email you, so this way parents can’t actually see your responses.

    For what it’s worth, I can assure you that many parents have been directed to this page, as they want to see your answers to these questions please.

    I am sure you are well aware of them and yes some of them are controversial and uncomfortable to talk about, but if you are going to run for a position in this town that in many respects is at the forefront of these issues, that can create positive change, you should at least be willing to answer them. Such as:

    1) Do you think David L is doing a good job? It’s not a complicated question.

    2) Do you agree with the lawsuits brought against the town of Wellesley, as it relates to the schools?

    3) Do you think the town of Wellesley handled the bullying incident this past summer in good way way?

    4) Do you agree with the petition to outs David L. by the parents of Wellesley?

    I can assure you, these are fair questions. Thank you and appreciate your time.

    Thank you!

    Jane

    • Ronald says

      February 4, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      Well said Jane and could not agree more! Thank you for advocating for the parents! If people are going to run for any office, especially for the school board, which is such a critical position, they need to step up, show leadership and provide answers to parents questions.

      Maybe some parents might not like their answers, but parents in this town absolutely have a right to know where School Board members stand. No disrespect Mr. Mack, but not have been very impressed with you so far by your unwillingness to answers the tough questions. I do hope you start clarifying where you stand on the concerns of the Wellesley Parents.

      Thank you!

      Ronald

    • Carrie says

      February 5, 2022 at 10:02 pm

      Hi Jane,

      100% agree with you. Everything that I have read about Mr. Mack from his site is pretty much everything that parents can’t stand with the current board. All fluff with zero specifics! He clearly has not even acknowledged our pain points which leads me to believe he is clearly out of touch with how parents in this wonderfully town are feeling about our schools. Parents are sick and tired of that from the current school board, hence why so many parents are sending their kids to private schools. I personally know over 10 parents who have yanked their kids out of Bates and sent them to private in the past 2 years. Not going to list those reasons why, but someone who is running for the board you think would have a clue to why this is happening and maybe address this!

      In my opinion Mr Mack does not represent the change we need. If you go to his website it’s reads like someone running for political office.

      As a parent with a daughter in the Bates school system, I am deeply concerned with the current state of the Wellesley Schools and Mr Mack does not give me confidence! #NoOnMack

  5. Donna says

    February 4, 2022 at 3:25 pm

    Hi Craig,

    Thank you for posting here and letting us know you are running. I did try going to your website and noticed a “donate” aspect of your campaign. I am sure this is allowed, but it does send a very bad message that “special interest” could be tied to how you act as a board member, “if” you got elected. For why it’s worth, I have spoken to over a dozen parents in this town who are equally as concerned by this.

    I really hope you reconsider taking money from parents in this town, as it sends a negative message that parents who have more money, might be able to influence the school board. At the very least, are you willing to show where your donations are coming from and how much? Please also don’t tell me to email you directly either please, as I think this question should be answered in a public forum. Again, it just sends a very bad message accepting cash donations. I do hope that you strongly consider my request please. Thank you.

    Donna

  6. Adam says

    February 5, 2022 at 7:37 pm

    It’s really not complicated. If you are happy with the current school board and state of affairs within the Wellesley Public Schools, vote for Mr. Mack. If you are not happy with what is going on with the current school board and state of affairs within the Wellesley Public Schools, then vote for Neal Glick.

  7. Joelle Reidy says

    February 6, 2022 at 9:01 pm

    Donna,

    Each and every campaign in this town does fundraising and asks for money from their constituents. In fact, both candidates for school committee are asking for donations. We have closely abided by all rules regarding fundraising and will continue to do so throughout the campaign. Additionally, at the end of the campaign season, all candidates are required to submit reports that give, in detail, all of the contributions and spending that occurs during the campaign. I hope this answers your questions.
    Thank you,
    Joelle Reidy
    Campaign Manager
    Committee to Elect Craig Mack

  8. Ready for change says

    February 8, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    To those wondering here is his comments in the wake of the bullying scandal. Elect him and it seems our schools will just keep on sinking.
    “We are honored to have such excellent educators and education administrators contributing to our children’s growth and development. We thank you for building and supporting such an inclusive environment where all learners can thrive. I’d like to direct my comments to Dr. Lussier, Dr. Chissum, Dr. Ito and their respective teams . . . We appreciate your leadership and your contributions to the education of our children. . . On behalf of the many parents who recognize and understand the standards you uphold I am sorry for what seems like a barrage of social media opinions about how recent discipline cases were handled. . . Thank you for your dignity in the face of such negativity and please know that we see you and we support you. Despite these challenges you have maintained your poise and your professionalism and we thank you. ”
    Craig Mack
    School Committee Meeting
    November 2, 2021

  9. Randy K says

    February 9, 2022 at 10:48 pm

    Mr. Craig Mack,

    Thank you for running for the School Committee. So I was reading on your website and it says that one of your goals is to “Ensure there is equity in the WPS for a more fair and inclusive environment”. I think this is great yet unfortunately we don’t see that from the current Wellesley school board.

    For example, one of the current school board members referred to Wellesley parents as an “angry mob” in one of the recent meetings. Do you think this type of tone is healthy from the current school board and are you willing to denounce that verbiage from that school committee member?

    I think doing so will send a strong message to the current school board that this is not acceptable tone/behavior from them and you want to be part of the solution to improve upon this and stand by the parents of Wellesley. Not denouncing this in many respects demonstrates that you are ok with this type of tone being taken towards the parents of Wellesley. Please let me know. Thank you!

  10. Wendy Englebardt says

    February 10, 2022 at 8:41 am

    Mr. Mack,

    I will be very happy to vote for you in the upcoming election, if only because your opponent Mr. Glick has such outdated views on what education should and should not entail. His presence at the recent Sprague PTO was extraordinarily off-putting and downright offensive.

    I respect your direct experience in education and love that you have DEI priorities. The latter indicates a more modern approach and willingness to address the very real issues our community is facing.

    I do wish you would answer our fellow community members’ questions either here or on another public forum where we can all view them; transparency is key to understanding who we are electing.

    I look forward to learning even more about you and what you hope to achieve. Best of luck to you.

    • Paul says

      February 10, 2022 at 12:58 pm

      For what it’s worth, I was honestly undecided for who I was going to vote for, however Mr. Mack’s unwillingness to engage or answer questions of parents with some real concerns is very troubling to me.

      Each candidate might have different viewpoints which is a good thing. Some parents might agree with certain viewpoints and others might disagree. That is ok! However the candidates should be open to where they stand on topics with the parents.

      As a parent with 2 kids in the High School I am so frustrated with the lack of transparency or willingness to give parents a direct answer. To me Mr. Mack’s unwillingness to even engage on questions/topics that have affected this town in the past 24 months, is extremely arrogant! For this reason, I can not vote for him. Every topic that has been brought up here are real issues that have happened in Wellesley these past 2 years, yet Mr. Mack can’t even tell voters his viewpoints on these issues.

  11. Joan A says

    February 10, 2022 at 1:59 pm

    There is more info/facts on Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster than what the voters of Wellesley know about Craig Mack and where he stands on issues that are facing our community! 🙂

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