22 April, 2013
I am pleased to announce my candidacy to the Hopkinton School Committee. As a working parent of two young children, I am committed to balancing the continued improvement to our schools, with the cost of educating our young to the taxpayers.
As a voter, I imagine you are asking yourself: who is Ellen Scordino and why is she running for School Committee? I will answer these questions in turn.
I am a working mom of two young girls. I grew up in Western Massachusetts in a town similar to Hopkinton. I attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT and then moved to New York City where I worked as a research chemist and attended law school in the evenings at Fordham School of Law. I am now a partner at the law firm, Fish & Richardson.
I am also an active volunteer. I have served a diverse group of people through my community activities, from seniors to children, and I hope to do the same as a School Committee member in Hopkinton. I have volunteered with the Fresh Air Fund by hosting children during the summer months. I am an active member of Boston’s Chamber Of Commerce and volunteer on the Life Science Alliance Committee which works with public and private organizations on issue related to public health, legislature, etc. I am also an active member of a number of bar organizations and volunteer lawyer groups. Through these organizations, I have served low income families on issues of guardianship, education and children’s services. I am also a committed member of the Women’s Bar Association working with the Elder Law Project where I provide my services to seniors in need of estate planning.
My volunteer work has been recognized by the Boston Business Journal as well as the law firms for which I work (I have received the BBJ’s 40 Under 40 Award and Pro Bono awards from 2008-2011).
Locally I have worked with the HPTA (Art Room Coordinator), Hopkinton Youth Soccer, Project Just Because, and the Hopkinton Community Endowment, but I see a great opportunity to bring my personal and professional strengths to the Hopkinton School Committee.
My decision to run stems from my wish to serve this community and its taxpayers, students, parents, teachers and administrators, by bringing a fresh perspective to our School Committee. I have no agenda other than wanting my children to attend public schools recognized for excellence. I also want to restore faith and trust in the Hopkinton School Committee by contributing to its transparency and accountability.
There is no question that taxpayers need a School Committee that they trust and children, and parents need a School Committee that works both with and for them. To this end, I intend to be accessible and open. I will keenly listen, and share information, as I work hard to continuously improve our schools and exercise fiscal responsibility. I will strive to give our children access to cutting edge technique, qualified instruction, outside opportunities, and up-to-date tools and facilities while spending tax dollars wisely. I will also work to make Hopkinton a system where not only the best teachers and administrators strive to work, but also to create a place where they feel supported and invested and, as a result, stay.
I respectfully ask for your vote.
