Board Member Slater Pledges to Keep Learning on Board of Education

The following is a letter to the editor provided by Board of Education member, Mitch Slater.

Letter to Editor

October 23, 2013

Why I Serve

By Mitch Slater

People often joke that being on the school board is the world’s most thankless job. I disagree. Sure, the pay isn’t great. But after three and a half years of service, this so-called thankless job has made me nothing if not thankful.

Westfield is a community with a big heart.  Our kids are being raised in a town with a devoted and talented staff that cares deeply about them.  Our teachers and administrators have an interest in the success of every child in every one of our district’s nine buildings. That’s something to be proud of—and something to be thankful for.

Being a member of the Westfield Board of Education has been an education in and of itself.  I’ve learned what it takes to make a 6,200-student school system work. I’ve come to understand the complexities of managing $100 million in taxpayer money. And I’ve been constantly impressed by the dedication of my fellow board members. No, we don’t always agree.  But at the end of the day, we all know what matters: the kids. That’s why we’re all here.

Three years ago, you asked for better technology and an improved wireless infrastructure. Today, we are not only making progress, but soon we will be the district that others turn to for guidance.  

Last night I had the opportunity to speak at Tamaques School's PTO meeting. The room was filled with passionate parents and teachers, all clearly committed to making their kids’ school experience something special.

That’s a common thread I have seen throughout my 20 years of raising a family in Westfield. Everyone pitches in. That’s why our school system works and why our town is such a close-knit community. I'm just doing my part.

So my pledge for my final term is to keep learning. I want to keep learning from you, the stakeholders, to keep learning from our tremendous educators and administrators, and most importantly, to learning from our kids.

That’s why I’m thankful. And that’s why I look forward to serving on the board for the next three years.