Town Meeting Member Submits Name for 1-Year School Committee Seat

Town Meeting member Bob Berman has submitted his name for the one-year seat on the Framingham School Committee.

The seat became open when former School Committee member Mike Bower was elected to the Framingham Board of Selectmen last month.

The School Committee has set a deadline of May 10 by 5 p.m. for applications for the one-year term.

The position will be filed by a joint vote of the 6-member School Committee and the 5-member Board of Selectmen.

Berman, a parent of two school-aged children, said he has been an active member of the community for more than 20 years.

"I offer strong credentials, a unique perspective, and a deep understanding of the importance of education and what a quality school system means to our town," said Berman. "With deep understanding of the needs, accomplishments and challenges of the Framingham Public Schools, as well as my years of experience working within the overall town budget, I feel that I offer a unique blend of experience that would serve the School Committee well during this one-year term."

A Framingham North High School and Framingham State University graduate, he holds a  Masters degree in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego College of Education, with a focus on educational leadership. 

Berman has a daughter at the McAuliffe Regional Public Charter School and a son at Stapleton Elementary School.

"In the spirit of full disclosure, my wife Lisa is a teacher in the Framingham schools. As a result, I would abstain from voting on any agenda items would give the appearance of conflict under the state conflict of interest laws," Berman wrote in letter to School Committee.

"I have been active as a volunteer for the Framingham schools for several years as a long-standing member of the Stapleton School Council. I am also a current member of the McAuliffe Charter School Council.  My volunteer experiences range from teaching and supporting students and staff in the Stapleton computer lab to coaching the inaugural Stapleton Running Club," said Berman in his letter to the School Committee.

Berman was appointed to the search committees for the town-wide school technology director and the Stapleton Elementary Principal.

Berman has also been active in town government. Besides serving as a Town Meeting member, he has served on numerous Town Meeting standing committees including education, public works, public safety and planning and zoning. 

"I have served as Chair of the Government Study Committee, Chair of the PILOT Study Committee and Chair of the Technology Advisory Committee," said Berman in his letter.

Berman currently serves on the Board of Directors for Impact Framingham (formerly the Framingham Civic League) and Leadership Metrowest and is active in other community organizations.