Opening Statement: League of Women Voters candidates night
March 25, 2009
My name is Jeff Dieffenbach, and I'm running for re-election to the School Committee. I thank the League for the opportunity to participate tonight. I’d like to address the tone and tenor of this campaign. Rather than discuss educational merits —a topic to which I bring considerable knowledge— or economic challenges —my understanding of municipal finance is unmatched among those seeking election— some in town have seen fit to embark upon an ignorant and repugnant smear campaign unlike any I have experienced in my fourteen years on the Finance and School Committees.
Most notable is a wholly unfounded rumor falsely suggesting inappropriate actions regarding my profession in educational publishing. For the record, I have neither approached our schools about, nor earned a single penny from, the purchase of any product of any of the companies for whom I’ve worked. Rebutting this empty charge gives me the opportunity to outline my educational expertise.
As Executive Director of the Massachusetts Partnership for Achievement in Reading, I organized all professional development in the Commonwealth as part of the national Reading First program for which Wayland was not eligible. At reading skill development software publisher Lexia Learning Systems, I managed numerous projects and products while never engaging Wayland. The same was true as National Director of Sales and Marketing with print publisher Sopris West Educational Services. My current position as Vice President of Product Management for the educational technology firm Cambium Learning Technologies includes no sales responsibilities.
I outline these four roles to share what they have in common: a focus on the needs of struggling students. I’m proud of this focus and of the integrity, transparency, and thoughtfulness with which I serve my profession and our town. Education is inherently an optimistic endeavor, so I’ll end on the optimistic note that concludes the Mission Statement of the Wayland Public Schools: “Our goal is to advance our students’ growth into principled, informed, and capable citizens who will help guide a democracy that follows humanitarian principles in the global forum, and shape a just society where individuals may reach their full potential.”
Thank you.
Thank you.
If you have any questions or comments, call me at 508-353-3175 or
send me email at dieffenbach @ alum.mit.edu.