To the editor:
We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Costas Panagopoulos for Wellesley School Committee.
As parents of two young sons in Wellesley Public Schools, Ezra and I trust in Costas’s investment in our district. We moved our family to Wellesley in large part because of its excellent public schools, which are the heart of our wonderful community. Costas will ensure our schools not only remain strong, but in fact improve for the betterment of every student. I am thrilled to serve as his campaign manager because I am confident that he brings exactly the combination of expertise, commitment, and collaborative spirit our schools need right now.
Costas’s qualifications are exceptional. As Distinguished Professor and former department chair at Northeastern University, he understands how to manage complex organizations, oversee substantial budgets, and foster excellence. His appointment by Governor Baker to the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority Board—where he oversees $18 million in annual operations and manages $12 billion in assets—demonstrates his financial acumen and commitment to making education accessible and affordable for Massachusetts families.
But what truly sets Costas apart is his personal investment in our schools. As the son of Greek immigrants who had only third-grade educations, he understands viscerally the transformative power of public education. He is a proud product of Massachusetts public schools himself, having graduated from Dracut High School before attending Harvard. Now, as the father of a first-grader at Hardy Elementary, he experiences our schools as a parent every single day.
Costas’s approach is data-driven, collaborative, and results-oriented—exactly what we need as we navigate budget constraints while maintaining excellence. He will fight for high standards, transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. Most importantly, he will empower teachers, administrators, and families to work together with the trust and shared purpose that strong schools require.
We hope you’ll join us in supporting Costas on March 3.
Wendy Englebardt, Campaign Manager, electcostas.com
Ezra Englebardt, Town Meeting Member, Precinct H; Chair, Wellesley Trails Committee Wellesley
