School Committee candidate Debbie Coleman

Four years ago Debbie Coleman heard a spot on the Waltham School Committee had opened.

Coleman, then president of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Northeast Elementary School, where her oldest daughter was in first grade, said she saw an opportunity to extend her support beyond just one school.

Coleman, who previously had been involved in the Waltham YMCA’s early education program as well as fundraising for a scholarship awarded annually to a graduating Waltham High senior, won a committee seat in that 2021 election.

 Coleman, who is in her second year as the committee’s vice chair, is seeking a second four-year term.

Serving on the committee, according to Coleman, is a constant.

“We might only have meetings twice a month, but there’s a lot more that goes into it than just those two meetings,” Coleman said.

A Waltham resident since 2007, Coleman said both of her kids now attend Waltham Public Schools. The district, she said, plays a large role in her family. 

“Not only is it a daily conversation in my house in terms of what they do at school and knowing what they’re learning about, but also it’s a daily thing that I’m involved with regarding School Committee,” Coleman said.

She said family engagement is a crucial piece of education – and something she plans to encourage as a committee member.

For example, she said she wants the committee to collaborate with the district’s equity team to support families of students who are English language learners to make sure engagement is possible.

“If there’s a language barrier, you want to make sure that those barriers are down and that families can participate and be an active member of their students’ education,” she said.

Waltham schools last year reported that more than a quarter of its students were English language learners, compared to 13.9% statewide, an almost 2% increase since the 2022-23 school year, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Education.

For Coleman, engagement and collaboration is valuable beyond just families, saying student performance benefits, too.

“Having a fresh set of eyes from the superintendent as well as pulling together all of the stakeholders … are going to be key in terms of getting the performance up,” Coleman said.

Waltham Valor High School, she said, is an additional way to support and accommodate students who due to work, time obligations or danger of dropping out aren’t able to complete a standard high school schedule.

“Having a different opportunity for those students to not drop out, to continue their education, get their degree is really something that has been an exceptional advancement in my four years,” Coleman said.

Working alongside other stakeholders to keep the community informed about schools is another part of making sure families are engaged, according to Coleman.

Coleman said she has spoken with families who rely on principals and Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa for WPS information rather than getting information from the School Committee.

By utilizing her own social media, she said she hopes to make School Committee information more accessible.

“I think that [social media] is where a lot of people get tidbits of news these days,” said Coleman. “I think all the pieces are there to be transparent, it’s just a matter of if people know where to find the resources.” 

Coleman reflected on the past four years serving on the School Committee, saying that while challenging at times, it has been extremely informative. She said she believes the district has achieved a lot in that time.

“I think with the team members in place throughout the district we have the opportunity to make things really, really exceptional in the next four years,” Coleman said. “I’m hoping that I can be a part of it.”