As election day draws closer, School Committee incumbents Matt Spengler and Michael Greis hope to defend their seats against challenger Lauren Soper.
All three candidates have shared similar views on key issues throughout the race. They each indicated the School Committee’s role is that of a high-level policy board, responsible for vision-keeping, governance, budgeting and accountability. All feel strongly that the Pollard project should move forward in collaboration with community stakeholders, emphasizing the age of the building and the need for a new facility. And they have also expressed support for using High Rock School as a future swing space if and when a new Mitchell Elementary is built.
Where they differ, however, is in their priorities, with the incumbents more closely aligned. Spengler emphasized developing facilities that are optimal for student success, creating equitable policies and maintaining strong academic programs. Greis, like Spengler, would prioritize maintaining academic excellence, ensuring student success and building Pollard. Both also highlighted the need to continue implementing the Portrait of a Needham Graduate.
Soper’s focus primarily lies with ensuring consistency across NPS classrooms, auditing the use of technology in school and redefining social-emotional learning. Throughout the race, she has mentioned achievement gaps as another area in need of attention.
The three candidates also vary in their opinions of future uses for the Stephen Palmer property — a historic 1914 structure most recently used as residential units. Soper is strongly committed to keeping it under School Committee jurisdiction and believes the space should be set aside for student interests. Spengler would like to see Palmer’s future use aligned with the values of Needham schools, but acknowledges the need for community housing and sees Palmer as a community asset. Greis also would like to consider Palmer for educational use, but emphasizes the limitations of the property’s size and notes it will ultimately be a community-driven decision.
Most significantly, Soper, Spengler and Greis differ in experience. Incumbents Greis and Spengler, benefitting from 21 and 9 years respectively on the School Committee, have had front-row seats to issues such as the Pollard project and Palmer discussions.
Soper enthusiastically entered discussions after pulling papers and has spent time getting up to speed on key conversations. She has shared many of her perspectives through social media and other public outreach, and brought a particular emphasis to NPS areas she believes are in need of improvement, such as the number of students taking Advanced Placement classes, addressing students who are “not thriving in our district” and kindergarten class size. Some of her statements have been met with questions and Soper has been publicly accountable for any inaccuracies.
Incumbents Spengler and Greis have also highlighted areas in need of improvement — Spengler focusing on equitable policy, Greis on social, emotional and mental health — though they have primarily done so through scripted avenues like debates, interviews and questionnaires.
At the League of Women Voters Candidates Night, Spengler noted that any one of the three candidates would be an asset to the school committee.
“Michael and Lauren both bring a ton of value to the table,” he said. “I’m glad you’re both running — it’s good for our town, it’s good for civic discourse.”
“I think what distinguishes me is my experience in education paired with a willingness to make independent, sometimes tough decisions, but always grounded in student experience and learning,” Spengler continued. “So thank you. I’d be honored to earn your support and be given the opportunity to continue to serve Needham and our schools with integrity and care.”
“Now, we need a fresh perspective,” Soper commented to the Observer, reflecting on her bid for a school committee seat. “Now, we need to include more people governed by the system in the decisions that get made in the system.” She added, “These Needham schools gave me an education I’m proud of. I will help us make the school product even better, little by little. We can accomplish more. It is possible.”
“We have to come back, and we do come back to, what’s the core of the Needham Public Schools?” Greis noted. “[The Portrait of a Needham Graduate] is our North Star. So we talked about initiatives that each of us might care deeply about, but we have to line up behind the core strategic goals of the schools for us to succeed.”
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