Endorsements

Why Are Natick Voters Supporting Shai:

I've worked with Shai during his tenure on the School Committee as a Select Board Member and the Finance Committee before that. Shai is an exceptional combination of  learning expert and empathetic person and works extremely well in a team environment such as the School Committee. His calm demeanor and solicitous nature brings out the best in the committee. I'm very happy to support his re-election bid.

Bruce Evans

Select Board Chair

We are thrilled to vote to re-elect School Committee Chair Shai Fuxman. Shai embodies the best of Natick and our public schools—commitment to truly supporting and affirming all students, applying data-driven approaches to academic excellence and social-emotional learning, and ensuring appropriate parent representation in decision making.

Farrah and Barry Rubenstein

Parents of 2 WMS students

I’m so excited that Shai wants to dedicate 3 more years to our amazing public schools. I feel that Shai is absolutely the right person at this time to lead our School Committee based on his past experience, especially while onboarding a new superintendent. Shai is dedicated to ALL students and to the teachers of the district.  I’ll absolutely be giving him one of my 2 votes.

Kate Neville
KMS & NHS parent, and WMS teacher

I've had the pleasure of working with Shai Fuxman over the last few years, during the Natick Public Schools' annual Budgets and Appropriation Requests. In his current role as School Committee Chair, Shai has demonstrated an exceptional ability to manage process, juggle a huge variety of stakeholder needs, and built team consensus. He has an impressive dedication to the needs of the broad and diverse school community - students, parents and caregivers, staff, and Natick's residents. Shai is consistently professional, informed, and prepared for whatever tasks are being undertaken by the Committee - and is a pleasure to work with. Additionally, Dr. Fuxman has an impressive educational background and long professional experience - which makes his leadership on education, behavioral development, and mental health such a huge value. He genuinely cares for the whole community's needs - and actively works towards delivering support and services to everyone, according to their individual needs. Decisions are made by those of us who participate in the process - and voting for Shai is an investment in Natick. Please join me in Voting for Shai Fuxman on March 26th.

Todd Gillenwater

Finance Committee Chair

Shai is a balanced leader. He has the ability to see both sides and make a decision based not only his values but what works for the greater good. Shai’s lived experience coupled with his education and training brings a valuable viewpoint and perspective that’s vital to our School Committee and Natick families.  

Kristen Pope
Select Board Member and NPS Parent

Shai Fuxman is incredibly collaborative, an amazing listener, and a really strong chair. He does the hard work of listening to all perspectives, seeking out different points of view, and then making an informed decision. His professional work in educational data and research, with a focus on social-emotional learning, make him a valuable asset to the School Committee. I am impressed with his knowledge and expertise everyday.


Julie McDonough
Current Member and Former Chair, School Committee

Shai has consistently demonstrated remarkable leadership abilities throughout his tenure. He excels as an inclusive leader, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued within our committee. His commitment to fostering an environment of open communication and collaboration has been instrumental in our decision-making processes. Shai's ability to impartially consider all sides of an issue and work tirelessly towards shared understanding has been invaluable in steering our committee towards effective solutions. Moreover, his resolute dedication to making decisions that prioritize the well-being and success of our students is truly commendable.


Elise Gorseth
Vice Chair, School Committee 

Shai has demonstrated that he is a thoughtful, reasonable and collaborate member of the Natick School Committee.  He is not a single-issue candidate.  He has the best interests of the children of the Natick Public Schools at heart as he works on policy issues for the Natick Public Schools. We urge you to vote for Shai for the Natick School Committee on March 26. 

Peg Broekel
Former SC member and chair, Town Meeting member for 20+ years
Matthew Rovner
Resident since 1950

From the perspective of someone who has served on the School Committee, I can say that Shai’s background and professional qualifications for re-election to the School Committee are superb, and he has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to understand and thoughtfully evaluate both policy and administrative proposals while staying laser-focused on the ultimate objective of strengthening Natick’s public school system. Shai has also demonstrated his temperament for the role through his ability to work with other community and committee members by listening to concerns and ideas. I am pleased that he has chosen to run for another term on the School Committee, and I am happy to support him.

Jonathan Freedman
Former Select Board and School Committee Member

Shai has proven himself to be a responsible, knowledgeable, and skilled member of the Natick School Committee.  He has sterling credentials, deep expertise in education, and an unshakeable commitment to serve the children and educators here in Natick.  I trust him to ensure that our system educates all of our kids and lives out the value of respect for diversity that makes our community such a great place to live.

Max Klau

Parent of Kennedy and NHS Students

Shai Fuxman has the demonstrated leadership to take Natick's education system to the next level. His experience of more than a quarter century of researching proven best practices in the field of education provides the School Committee with the clear path to academic success and social-emotional development. In an environment where our children are facing greater anxiety about their future, climate change, and their place in a rapidly changing world, our teachers, educators and administrators need the support of a strong School Committee, led by scientifically proven best practices. Shai Fuxman is uniquely poised to effect change in Natick.

Kathryn Coughlin
Select Board Member

Shai Fuxman has my full support for continuing his role on the Natick School Committee. First and foremost, Shai's experience both professionally in terms of education and work experience, and his past experience on the Natick School Committee gives him the knowledge and background to do this job. Secondly, while I would hope this would be a given in the world, it's important to note that Shai leads based on facts and science, and doesn't get swayed by people raising red flags for issues that are not real. And most importantly, Shai supports the needs of LGBTQ+ students and the importance of how a lack of acceptance can be dangerous to these children. Shai keeps a level head in tough situations and engages in a meaningful way with his constituents.

Rachel Levy

Parent of Two NPS Students

Shai Fuxman is uniquely qualified to serve on the Natick School Committee and deserving of three more years. In addition to his professional experience working with academic administrators and educators, Shai’s focus on social emotional learning and his multiple, successive terms of service on the School Committee will help to set up the incoming superintendent for success. Shai is a proven collaborator and he has earned the respect and trust of many Natick parents, taxpayers, and those serving in local government. I am proud to support Shai’s candidacy for re-election and hope you will join me in voting for Shai Fuxman on March 26th.

Paul Joseph

Select Board Member

Our town needs Shai on School Committee -- please make sure he stays there! Speaking as a former Select Board and School Committee member, I can assure you that we all benefit from Shai’s leadership. Highly-charged issues have come at the Committee lately, and Shai has been a potent force for calm and productivity. He’s built strong partnerships on behalf of the schools across government. This collaboration will be invaluable as we confront serious financial issues over the next few years. And this is to say nothing of his expertise! Shai is someone I trust to navigate tough times ahead on our behalf, and someone I trust with the future of the town’s kids, and you should, too. Please vote Shai Fuxman on March 26!

Karen Adelman-Foster

Former School Committee and Select Board Member

Please vote for my excellent edc.org colleague Shai Fuxman for School Committee on March 26. Shai is the best person we may ever have the privilege to vote for. In addition to being a parent of two Natick students, one of whom has special needs, he's also smart, very well respected by teachers, district, and state educators for his ability to facilitate evidence-based approaches to complex issues, and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Heidi Larson 

Former Town Committee Member and Natick Resident since 2006

I am excited to support Shai for re-election to the School Committee.  As a parent of two elementary age children who are still dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic, I really appreciate Shai's focus on and advocacy for social and emotional learning.  As a member of the Finance Committee, I appreciate Shai's collaborative approach in developing a strong partnership between the town and our schools to make sure our students' needs are met and our budget is sustainable.  Finally, I appreciate that Shai is always willing to listen and regularly engages with the public and advocates for their concerns in his role on the committee.  I am looking forward to casting one of my votes for Shai on March 26!


Cody Jacobs

Finance Committee Member, Town Meeting Member, and NPS Parent