Funding

The district must deal with the current economic downturn, financial restraints and potential budget cuts while still delivering the best possible educational experience that we can afford.

Facilities

Our aging infrastructure must be addressed, as well as the strain on the system caused by the current distribution of students in our schools.

Faculty

Teachers make the biggest difference in a child’s education and Arlington has some of the best. We must continue to ensure the highest quality faculty.

Focus

We must ensure that the students of the Arlington Public Schools are the focus of every decision and every conversation.

I am excited to announce that I am running for a seat on the Arlington School Committee.

As a ten-year Arlington resident committed to education and children, I cannot think of a better way to continue that commitment than to serve on the committee that works to ensure the highest quality of education for our children that we can afford.

The role of a member of the school committee to me is to be a two-way pipe of information between the schools and the parents whose children benefit from the schools. From the parents, I plan to gather information, ideas, and feedback and ensure that it gets to the right ears in the school system. From the schools, I want to let the community know what great things are happening and how they can get involved. In addition, I want to help to make the decisions that shape our children’s education for the years to come. I will work hard to understand the challenges we face and find solutions that work for our community.

GO GREEN!

My husband, A. A. Hopeman, my daughter, Morgan, myself and my son, Ian sitting in Menotomy Rocks Park.

My supporters say:

“Over the years I have watched as Cindy has worked tirelessly to improve the schools for our children, teachers and administrators and taxpayers. Her volunteer record speaks volumes about the type of person Cindy is and her dedication to Arlington. This is why I am so pleased to have an opportunity to vote for Cindy on April 4 for Arlington School Committee.”

— Christine Carney

“I wholeheartedly support Cindy for a position on the Arlington School Committee. Her dedication and tireless work have helped the children and schools of Arlington for many years, and I know that she would be incredibly effective and productive as an elected School Committee member.”

— Linda Magram

“Voters have a rare opportunity to elect a person who already has a long record of accomplishment in improving public education in Arlington. Cindy is an extremely hard worker and brings an unflagging optimism to every task. These are qualities we need on the School Committee.”

— Joe Curro

“Her campaign priorities are the right priorities for our times: common sense and creativity in funding, realigning use to prevent wear and tear on our facilities, supporting our faculty, and focusing on important educational needs of our children. We need enthusiastic, dedicated leaders like Cindy, with her can-do work ethic, to help make the important decisions about our budget and priorities for the current generation of children.”

— Marlene Rockmore

“If elected, Cindy will bring her selfless dedication, her ‘can-do’ attitude, and her endless energy to the Arlington School Committee.”

— Barbara Goodman

“In challenging times Arlington needs people who are adaptable and willing to seek out new and better ways. Cindy is not only aware of the challenges our school system faces, she is committed to finding ways to overcome them so Arlington can continue to be a community that provides a top quality public education.”

— David Walkinshaw

“In the four years since I first worked with Cindy Starks as a volunteer, I have been consistently impressed by her eagerness to learn, her open mind, and her willingness to work hard no matter what the task. The interests and education of each and every Arlington student will be her focus and motivation on the School Committee.”

— Kathryn Gandek-Tighe

“Cindy is smart, she is determined, she's a great listener and most of all she is committed to making education work for every child in Arlington.”

— Pam WattsFlavin

“I am impressed that Cindy’s primary focus is always on doing what is best for kids.”

— Judi Paradis

“As I’ve gotten to know Cindy and see what she is capable of doing single-handedly (and has done and is doing) I keep thinking ‘Thank God we have people like her in service of our kids and their education.’”

— Anita Wolf