Contact:
Name: Ben Lummis
The Committee to Elect Ben Lummis
617-547-2021

Cambridge, Mass. – May 26, 2003 – Cambridge resident Ben Lummis has announced he will run for a seat on the Cambridge School Committee in the November 4th election. Lummis has been a teacher in the Cambridge Public Schools and is currently the co-director of a national school reform program based in Boston.

“I am running because our city needs new leaders who know how to work with the community and superintendent to improve our schools. Our recent school committees have created too much rancor and not enough results.”

For Lummis, the key issue is equal opportunity for all Cambridge students. “Because our schools are unequal in quality, many parents are understandably nervous. We must quickly improve the underperforming schools and support the recently merged schools so all parents can be confident in their children’s education.”

Another priority for Lummis is providing better support for teachers. “Our teachers deserve the professional respect of being properly evaluated, so they can know their strengths and work with other teachers to improve their weaknesses. If we want schools to get better, we have to pay more attention to teachers’ needs.”

In addition, Lummis wants to focus on schools’ educational and fiscal accountability. “When we’re spending $17,000 per student, we should be able to tell the community exactly how well we are educating all of our children. Right now we have a vague sense that some schools are doing better than others, but no one really knows. That’s not good enough.”

Lummis lives on Walden Street with his wife, Trina Abbott, and their four-year-old twins. He received his master’s in teaching from Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. He was a middle school teacher and taught a fifth/sixth grade class at the Cambridgeport School. Now, as co-director of Turning Points, a national middle school reform effort, Lummis works intensively with teachers, principals, and district staff to implement dramatic changes in their schools. One of his key goals is to include parents and community members in school decision making.

“My experience allows me to understand the perspectives of school staff as well as parents. I will use my skills to help the school committee focus on a few priorities and make real progress.”

Lummis managed Alan Price’s successful campaign for School Committee during the last election. Mr. Price has enthusiastically endorsed his candidacy. “I am delighted that Ben has chosen to run now, when the Cambridge Public Schools most need his skills. With his background as a teacher, as an educational leader, and as a caring father, Ben Lummis has the experience needed to hit the ground running. He is a much needed addition to the school committee, and I look forward to our serving together.”

For more information or to help out with the campaign please call Ben at 617-547-2021 or email him at -------.