Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I've lived and worked in Amherst since 1993 as a professor of economics and more recently as department chair at Amherst College. I have devoted my career to the study of public schools and to the development and implementation of policies that will expand opportunities and improve the quality of schooling for all.
I am the parent of a first grade girl at Fort River and a little boy looking forward to joining her on the bus next year. Both my wife and I attended public elementary and secondary schools, and we believe that public schools are in a unique position to provide all our children the type of intellectually engaging, supportive, and diverse educational experience that will foster a life-long love of learning and an understanding of the wonderfully diverse world in which we live.
The current financial crisis threatens the quality of public education in Amherst, and I believe that my training and experience as an education economist provides me with skills to help preserve and even expand upon what is special and successful in our schools. We must always be cognizant of the fact that budget cuts and poor decisions about how to spend money will harm disadvantaged students the most, as their families are least able to turn to private music lessons, art classes, academic support or, as a last resort, a private education.
I hope you'll give me the opportunity to serve you as a member of School Committee.
—Steven Rivkin |
