ELECTION 2015: Erin DiBenedetto seeks third term on Medford School Committee

The following are press releases issued by candidates and/or other special interest groups for the city of Medford municipal election. These releases do not reflect the opinions of the Medford Transcript or its staff and are submitted to the newspaper.
Erin Ann DiBenedetto is a proven leader who has the experience and relationships to deliver solid leadership for Medford.
Having served two terms on the Medford School Committee, she will bring her record of fighting for residents and community organizing to our city. As an experienced School Committee member, she will continue to work to make sure everyone in our school district has the opportunity to succeed.
Erin was born in the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville, the youngest of five children. Her parents, Joan and Thomas Gorman, instilled in their children the importance of their community and value of education.
Erin moved to Medford in 1987 and married her husband Joe, an East Somerville boy and a union carpenter with Boston Carpenter’s Local 33. They raised their two children, both of which graduated from Medford High School, Joseph, 24, a graduate of Worcester State University, and Katelyn, 22, a recent graduate of Tufts University.
Erin has served the Medford community as vice president Medford High School PTO and co-organizer of Medford Prom Dress Shop, which dressed more than 500 local girls with new or used gowns to wear to prom.
She was a coordinator/fundraiser for MHS Post Prom Party, which kept students safe after their Junior Prom. She enjoyed serving as a Band/Orchestra Parent, Crew Mom and Medford Youth Soccer Coach.
In 2009, Erin decided to run for the Medford School Committee, because all children deserve the best education a city can offer. On the School Committee, she hit the ground running, working with other members of the School Committee to ensure we had a balanced budget without any need for supplemental appropriations.
The committee has creatively and resourcefully developed additional sources of revenue. The planning and implementation of a $3.3 million technology upgrade went beautifully. The science lab at the High School is a major accomplishment.
Medford received $8 dollars from the state for this $14 million project. This project is not only offering the best education for our high school students it is increasing programming for our vocational students.
As a committee, they review new legislation regularly. Erin with the other committee members submitted medical emergency plans, concussions plans and bullying plans to the state. She has been involved in interviewing and hiring new principals and she is always a voice for the parents and the students in our community.
Her job as a Special Education Coordinator, where she advocates for the children of Somerville and Medford, gave her a unique insight into improving our schools. Voters of Medford rewarded Erin’s hard work by re-electing her in citywide elections.
Erin knows from her years of community involvement that some of the best ideas in government come from the neighborhoods — not the bureaucrats. That’s why she is asking for your vote on November 3rd to continue her work for all of our Medford children.