[Boston, September 21, 2021] Congratulations to the two Boston Mayoral finalists, Councilors Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George. We at ACT Boston urge both candidates to keep education at the top of their campaign and mayoral agenda as they head towards the November election. A recent Boston Globe poll found education as voters’ top issue. Another poll by 7News/Emerson College said education was voters’ second most important issue when deciding who to vote for in the election.
As parents of school-aged children, Councilor Essaibi George and Wu’s proximity to Boston’s schools afford them a necessary understanding of the enormous challenges faced by educators and students that were only exacerbated by the pandemic. With the next mayor’s vision and leadership, Boston can and must be a city where all students — regardless of race, income, and home language — have access to 21st century learning facilities; rigorous, engaging, and culturally relevant curricula; a diverse and consistent educator workforce; enrichment inside and outside of school; and the support they need to be prepared for choice-filled, purposeful lives after high school graduation. Our 18 member organizations, serving thousands of education stakeholders across the city, look forward to learning more about each candidates’ plans and priorities for the future of Boston’s education system, over the next six weeks.