TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury will have a two candidate face-off for one School Committee seat in this year’s town election, April 4. Tewksbury Patch asked the two candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.
Sara Steele is a spa owner and is running for office for the first time. She is running against Keith Sullivan, the current chair of the Committee. Steele has two children.
Are you running for School Committee in Tewksbury? Contact Christopher Huffaker at [email protected] for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Tewksbury Patch.
Previously on Patch: Tewksbury Town Election Voter Guide
Sara Elizabeth Steele
Age (as of Election Day)
26
Position Sought
3-year term School Committee
Family
Spencer W. Steele is 4 1/2 and attends full-day preschool at the Loella F. Dewing Elementary school including the special education team.
Sloane E Steele is almost 3 and will be entering the town’s pre-school program.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Education
Dracut High class of 2012
Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics 2013
Laird Institute of Advanced Esthetics and Spa Therapy 2016
Occupation
From 2012-2016 I worked full time in an accounting office while I was growing my family and starting my small business, Skin Affairs Spa. We are located at 122 #8 bridge street Pelham NH.
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
SEPAC – parent at large to assist all special ed families in town with any concerns they may have while working together as a team to support our district.
Why are you seeking elective office?
To help our district work as a team to make positive changes for all of the children who attend or are outpaced due to their specific needs.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
I have many concerns in regards to our district, but the most pressing would have to be the amount of money we spend and where is it going. Is it going to our kids and teacher’s? Our towns budget and spending is available for all to see online and Id like to encourage you all to take a look.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I believe we are two completely different people. I’m a full-time working mother of two children, so for me to take the time to get involved with any sort of election I hope the voters can see there is a need for change. As a community we could be doing better for all the children in district and through our out-placements.
After joining the SEPAC last year I quickly learned families in this town are constantly struggling with their special education needs and that hit home for me. I decided right there at that first meeting I’m going to do whatever I can do to help ALL of the families in town not just those with special education needs, because if the kids of parents who need it the most are asking for help we as a community aren’t doing our jobs to support any of them for a successful future and that will change regardless of this election because now multiple lights have been shone on it.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
I would have loved to discuss these issues through a healthy debate/formal discussion but due to covid 19 that wasn’t possible. I believe we all as a district could do better if we work together effectively.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I believe a lot of my accomplishments have brought me to this point, raising two very small children on my own after a divorce and growing my small business to a full service Spa and Health Center at the same time. While constantly continuing my education to teach my kids that you never have to stop learning.
We make time for the things we want to accomplish in life and changing our community for a better future a more successful future for all of the kids in our community is now a part of my life. No matter what this election brings I’ll still be involved in all areas that I can be. And I urge you all to get involved as well.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
My grandfather said to me while I was deciding what was next after high school “Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”. It’s a Marc Anthony quote, and it stands true to still be the best advice I have ever been given. It relates to all parts of your life.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
We can do better. We can all make better choices and do better as a community. All of our children deserve the best and that’s what I want to give them.
Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on the Tewksbury Patch
