Two challengers take on School Committee members

By Tom Nash While most members of the Somerville School Committee face no opposition in November, two new candidates have emerged to challenge both Ward 5 member Mark Niedergang and Ward 4 member James Norton. Anna Lavanga, former vice president of the John F. Kennedy School Parent-Teacher Association, is running for Niedergang's seat. Among her chief concerns, she said, was a lack of accountability for school officials. "The school system needs to be held responsible for what it does," Lavanga said. "The open door policy is non-existent. Parents are not getting their problems addressed. We need to protect the children from the school system." Lavanga, who grew up in Somerville and graduated from Somerville High School in 1987, began what she said was one of the first after school language programs for elementary students, teaching Italian. She said she would like to see more of such programs provided to students. "I'm just going to state what I believe in and (Niedergang) will state his record, and we'll let people choose," Lavanga said. In response to Lavanga's concerns about school accountability, Niedergang, the committee vice chairperson, said school staff members work hard to address parents' concerns but that the committee is always looking at ways to help the system improve. "We don't do enough parent outreach, especially to low income parents and immigrant parents," Niedergang said. "In order to get parents to participate in their child's education, the district needs to go to them. I've advocated for staff knocking on doors and trying to get parents involved." Christine Rafal, who describes herself as a curriculum writer and classroom researcher, said that she decided to run for Norton's seat to give voters a choice - adding that she has worked extensively with him in the past. "I obviously want to try to win, but I certainly respect (Norton) as an opponent," Rafal said. "I really want to offer the ward a choice because I think we both have good strengths." Rafal almost ran for the Ward 4 seat in 2007, when incumbent Charlene Harris failed to turn in her election paperwork and was forced to run as a write-in candidate, but said she changed her mind after taking out nomination papers. Two years later, Rafal said she's ready for the campaign, adding that while it's difficult to run against an incumbent she wants to give Ward 4 voters a choice "People are reluctant to put up a challenge," Rafal said. "It's a lot easier to wait for a seat to open up." James Norton, editor of The Somerville News and co-owner of real estate company ERA The Norton Group, has held the Ward 4 seat since winning a sticker race against Harris in 2007. He previously served in the position from 1994-95 after an unsuccessful run in 1989. Norton said he is confident that his record will stand out in the election, and that Rafal has yet to explain how she would be a better committee member. "She has no reason to run other than getting her name out there," Norton said. "If she comes up with reasons after the fact, she's grasping at straws." "I'm happy to stand on the issues facing the Somerville public schools today, tomorrow and the next day," Norton added. Both Niedergang and Norton said they look forward to running a campaign to share the committee's accomplishments with their constituents. "I take my hat off to Ms. Lavanga; I admire her for running," Niedergang said. "I think it's lamentable that there are so few people running for office this year. It gives me a chance to run on my record." Norton said he will be knocking on every door in Ward 4 while the committee is in recess during July and August.

Comments

[JMD]

This election will be interesting to watch.

[Dingo]

Wow, I am surprised this paper even acknowledge Jaime had an opponent...Are going to rake her over the coals ala Carl? I lived in Wd 5. I do not know Mark but do not like his politics BUT he is out there...In 4, Jaime, honestly, what have you done? You are going to run on your record? Well I will be waiting to see all the initiatives you have enacted, not co sponsored or assisted but actually LED.

I hope this gets published but I have saved it..

Note from JN: First off, there has never been a NEWS story in this newspaper that has been slanted or biased ever. Prove me wrong. Second, this newspaper never said anything about Carl that wasn't true, period. Again, prove us wrong. Thirdly, I am certainly going to be running on my record - clearly you have this foolish preconceived notion that I have something less than an excellent track record as a member of the School Committee. Maybe you should have paid attention and gone to every meeting, but that's ok - you will have plenty of opportunity to learn all about my accomplishments between now and November. JN