Leanne Ratti for Needham School Committee

Check out this Boston Globe article! Yes, that’s me!

From classrooms to the State House, the movement for evidence-based literacy instruction is gaining serious momentum across Massachusetts — and Needham is part of the story.

Lawmakers once again seek to overhaul reading instruction - The Boston Globe More than half of third-graders did not meet the state’s bar for reading proficiency last spring, while fourth- and fifth-graders performed even worse.

The School Committee has created a new, revised policy for the "Evaluation of Instructional Programs.”

This document adopts phrases that were key to my campaign, including "high quality", "evidence-based", and "equitable resources.”

It is the practice and policy of the School Committee to set goals around curriculum and instruction. NPS leaders are responsible for selecting curricula that to meet the School Committee's expectations.

I raised awareness about this important issue and will continue to share, listen and advocate for our children.

Tonight at one of our favorite restaurants in town, a man stopped by our table to find out if I was the teacher who ran for School Committee. He wanted me to know that he voted for me. His advice: run again and keep sharing your great ideas. Eventually, everyone will hear them. ♥️ He got to meet my whole family.

These validating moments and messages have been happening all week with community members I had never met. Losing is hard. But the support, the conversations, the shared hopes—they’re real. And they last longer than any election result.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, who believed, who reached out. I’m still listening. Still learning. Still here.

While I didn’t win the election this year, I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing people I met and the connections I made throughout the journey. Congratulations to the other candidates – it’s been an honor to be part of such a dedicated group. There’s always a next time, and I’m excited for what the future holds. Thank you all for your support and encouragement!

Big thanks to the organizers for bringing our community together to watch “The Disruptors.” A great night of listening and learning from the panel, especially from the NHS student. Your efforts in creating this space for understanding and awareness are truly appreciated. Here's to continued learning and support for all.

Vote on Tuesday, April 8th!

It’s this kind of Needham ✨COMMUNITY SPIRIT✨ that makes me even more excited to serve on the School Committee.

Don’t forget, the vote is THIS Tuesday! 🗳️ Your voice truly matters, and together, we can make a difference for our schools and students. Let’s turn out in full force and make it count!

Thank you again for your incredible support!
www.leanneforneedhampublic.com

✅ Community Engagement
✅ Inclusion and Equity for all students
✅ High-quality literacy in all classrooms

I propose School Committee OFFICE HOURS for open conversations and collaboration. Let’s make sure all community voices are heard for the upcoming Pollard/Mitchell project.

Inclusion is fostered and crucial services are protected. Let’s explore ways to INCLUDE METCO parent representation on School Committee to create a more inclusive culture.

Literacy EQUITY would ensure all students, regardless of background, have equal access to resources and support, addressing systemic inequities and our wide achievement gap.

"Bubble classes" exist in all five of our elementary schools. This means an additional classroom is temporarily created to support over-enrollment. I support a sixth elementary school be created at High Rock, part of the school master plan, to maintain or decrease CLASS SIZES.

Education is a partnership, and I believe that with open communication and collaborative effort, we can build an environment where every student feels supported, empowered and ready for the future.

Vote Leanne Ratti for School Committee on April 8th!

It was a pleasure meeting with NPS parents tonight, ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade and beyond. I truly enjoyed connecting with members of our community and engaging in thoughtful conversations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to join me. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Is curriculum approval the responsibility of the School Committee? YES.

School committee members have the authority to refuse a budget if it includes a curriculum that isn’t evidence-based, particularly when it comes to essential frameworks like the science of reading.

As a candidate for the School Committee, I want to emphasize one of the committee’s key responsibilities: **curriculum approval,** ensuring that our educational programs meet state standards and cater to the diverse needs of our community.

Massachusetts law—specifically Title 12, Chapter 71, Section 36A—requires every school committee member take an **oath of office** through the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), which outlines curriculum approval as one of the School Committee’s key duties:

https://www.masc.org/resources/member-handbook/

“Approve major adoption or revision of curriculum and textbooks upon recommendation of the superintendent.”

As a teacher of 16 years, one of my top priorities is making sure we have a high-quality, evidence-based literacy curriculum in all of our classrooms. Right now, the current School Committee has chosen not to take on the responsibility of approving the curriculum, but that’s clearly part of their role.

By embracing these responsibilities with dedication and integrity, we can work collaboratively to ensure that our schools provide a high-quality education that prepares all students for a successful future.

Thank you to The Needham Channel for providing an opportunity for me to share some of my priorities in my candidacy for School Committee:

✅ Community engagement
✅ Inclusion and Equity
✅ Evidence-based literacy

You can watch the interview by clicking the
link below:
https://youtu.be/MPkbuIl69H0


www.leanneforneedhampublic.com