As Ward 3’s school committee member, Sarah helped Somerville’s schools navigate one of the hardest years ever.
She is running for re-election to ensure that our pandemic recovery enables every Somerville student to thrive.
Sarah has spent over 20 years improving public education as a parent, educator, social worker, and activist. Professionally, she’s the Director of Research at Mass Insight Education & Research.
Sarah was first elected to Somerville’s School Committee in November 2019. Over the past two years, Sarah:
- Played a leadership role in getting our students back to in-person school during the pandemic,
- Passed a motion to pause two police programs in our schools while we survey students and revise our policing policy,
- Passed a motion to give our students a formal role in policy-making, budgeting, and priority setting, and
- Was a strong ally to our paraprofessionals during their successful campaign for better wages and job security.
She is running for re-election to ensure our pandemic recovery enables every student to thrive.
Articles about Sarah for School Committee
- The Globe Covers Sarah’s Motion to Pause Two In-School Police Programs: “We know research shows that mere presence of a police officer in a school increases the likelihood that a student will be referred to law enforcement.”
- Massachusetts Women’s Caucus Endorses Sarah Phillips: “We need leaders like Sarah Phillips, who will be a strong decision maker and advocate on the Somerville School Committee,” said Pam Berman, president of the MWPC. Phillips is the only Somerville School Committee candidate to be endorsed by MWPC and just one of two candidates endorsed by the organization citywide.
- Our Revolution Somerville Endorses Local Candidates: “Sarah Phillips, a former social worker, noted the importance of teachers unions as “part of the solution, not the problem,” which elicited enthusiastic applause.”
- Sarah Phillips: Candidate for Ward 3 School Committee: “We always say diversity is strength but it can be a hard,” she said. “I think what we need to do is give teachers the resources they need to meet students academically; so, more academic specialists and content specialists.”
- Patch: Somerville Election Profile: Sarah Phillips For School Committee: “I am an activist and have made concrete change in Somerville and other communities where I’ve lived.”
- Wicked Local: Sarah Phillips: Ward 3 candidate for School Committee: “I value community and strive to be a participatory leader. As a member of the School Committee, I will draw on my ability to develop trusting relationships with people from all walks of life. I will listen carefully, build consensus, and facilitate participatory decision-making to represent the interests of our diverse community. I will also work directly with families who reach out for constituent services. That may include helping them identify resources and also intervening directly to help them ensure the district addresses their needs.”
- Climate Forum SC responses: “It is my understanding that Somerville teachers are currently developing a comprehensive science curriculum in K-8. If elected I would encourage the Superintendent to prioritize developing the climate change portion of this curriculum. I would also ensure the school department’s budget includes sufficient resources for professional development, consultation, and materials related to this curriculum and the climate change curriculum that already exists at the high school level and in our career and technical education program.”
Adam Sweeting, Former Ward 3 School Committee
“I’m voting for Sarah because of her insightful analysis on improving the socioeconomic diversity of our schools. The whole city will benefit with Sarah on the School Committee.”
Renee Scott, Leader, Testing Somerville Parent, Unidos
“As a parent who routinely opts her children out of the MCAS, I’m voting for Sarah because of her thoughtful opposition to high-stakes standardized tests.”
Olo Bayul, Teacher, Kennedy School Somerville High School ‘07
“I’m voting for Sarah because of her commitment to social justice and her efforts to make public schools places where low-income students and students of color thrive.”
Celia Taylor, Retired Teacher, Healey School. W, Former Ward 1 School Committee
“I’m voting for Sarah because of her vision, compassion, and integrity. I believe if we want something done, Sarah is the one.”
Denise Provost, State Representative
“Sarah has all the qualities I value in an elected official. She’s warm, attentive, smart, modest, and principled. She brings a wealth of real-world experience of the life of school districts, as well as a deep knowledge of educational best practices.”
Endorsements
Latest Blog Posts
Our Revolution Candidates Forum
Proud to share the stage with so many of the incredible folks running for municipal office in Somerville this year. You can watch my presentation here:
Thoughts about standardized tests
Overall, I want less testing and more learning. In 2015, the Council on Great City Schools found that students in our largest urban public school districts spend 20-25 hours of the school year taking tests. That is way too much time. While I fundamentally believe that we get better when we reflect on our progress, […]
Thoughts on Somerville’s proposed equity policy
I was pleased to see Laura Pitone share information in her blog post last week on the equity policy the school district and school committee have been drafting. I have been wondering when the proposed policy would be shared more widely. Communication between the schools and the community, and the school committee and the community […]