Gigi Howell: Candidate for Northborough School Committee

Why do you want to serve in this position?

I am running for School Committee because every student deserves a choice. Giving our young people the opportunity to make their own decisions helps to build a sense of independence and empowers them to make tough choices with integrity. Our focus needs to be on rigorously preparing all our children for the complex, diverse, technical, and competitive world that awaits them. It starts with allowing our amazing educators to do what they do best, and that is teaching. That effort cannot and should not sugarcoat the intolerance and injustices of the past or exclude points of view. At the same time, it must bring students together, emphasize achievement for all, and avoid the divisive political agendas that foster division and threaten the safe learning environment that we want and need for our children now more than ever.

Also, the BULLYING in this town has been brought to my attention on a level that I have not seen before. If elected I will work with my community families and businesses to ensure the bullies are exposed in this town and it ends immediately. The rein is over, we can do better. Our children are watching, let’s set the example.

What special qualifications and experience will you bring to the office?

I have a vast level of experience with mental health for diverse cultures, identities, including first responders and military personal. I have lived overseas, and in many states, giving me experience with many diverse cultures and their social norms. The School Committee position should be held by someone who has respect for opinions other than their own and with my experience, if elected, will provide this for my community.

Describe ONE other activity or (sub) committee you’ve been involved with within this town. What has it meant to you and how did it shape and impact this town?

I have not had the privilege of serving on a specific committee, but I have been involved in this town. I was the GM at the old Tavern in the Square in Northborough. I always helped my community to promote all of our schools’ fundraisers, sports fundraisers, scouts and town candidates; supported Zeh PTO in their endeavors when it involved the restaurant; supported my town’s teachers and first responders; always allowed the back room for the community to hold events, fundraising, basket raffles etc.; and always allowed signs, cards and promotions of all kinds to be on display that regarded my town and its members.

Lastly, I coordinated lunches with Three Apples Montessori School here in Northborough to provide healthy lunch options for the students while my daughter attended there.

Describe THREE key issues/ challenges facing the town and how will you address them in this role?

• Education Gaps
• Engage Mental Health Resources within the school walls
• Bullying and community kindness

We cannot get rid of our specialists to save the budget nor put that responsibility on our teachers that are already being overworked and under paid. We need to provide resources and ADD more to help with education gap close. Keeping programs like NEDP from altering or closing where extra help and education is provided for our children after school.

I will offer guidance with my clinical mental health field regarding the crisis we are facing within the adolescent population. The determination and level of mental health setbacks should not fall on the shoulders of our educators, that is not fair to the child nor the educator. We can do better. We must hire multiple certified therapists who have specific training in areas including adolescent dissociative disorders, disruptive & impulse-control disorders, suicide, adolescent manic depression, bipolar I & II, gender & identity crisis, and social transition crisis and social discrimination to name a few. Providing these resources can help each child on an individual level, this in turn will help aid the community towards a positive light with the current crisis these children are facing on the daily, aid in the current setbacks.

I plan on starting the change, @Change Through Transparency Facebook. This is a place of non-judgement and bullies are not allowed. It’s a safe place for parents to express their concerns and needs. As a community, we will work together, AND NO COMMENTS WILL BE VETTED nor DELETED.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself?

I have created a Facebook page called Change Through Transparency where, if elected, I intend to continue to use this social media platform to inform parents and the community on each decision that needs to be made regarding our children. I am not running for School Committee to have my agenda or voice be heard solely. I am running to ensure that all parents have a choice that they believe best suits their individual child. I will be accountable for ensuring each parent knows the extent of content, regulations, and curriculum that is being implemented within the school within an appropriate timely manner prior to any new docket being effective and put into action. I will also be accountable for sharing the most current updates on mental health and using my level of experience to inform parents on effective coping skills that they can access readily and use in the home for their children.