I write with worry for the future of the Belmont public schools as a past student, a current resident, and a future educator. The Belmont schools face many challenges, ranging from financial, like the proposed cuts in the face of a failed override vote, and others that are more timely and come from greater trends in academia and society, this is where artificial intelligence, social media, and the ever-changing high-stakes landscape of college admissions are to be noted.
Angus Abercrombie has invaluable experience for Belmont. Having been a student in the last decade and more importantly in the last few years, Angus has an insider’s perspective that all the other candidates lack.
I’ve outlined problems that Belmont faces, and the solutions aren’t evident, but Angus has the first-hand experience to resolve and address these issues. He isn’t relying solely on outside expertise but also on lived experience. Furthermore, Angus is Town Meeting’s youngest member, and his age has not diminished his accomplishments and advocacy on behalf of Precinct 2 and the greater Belmont community.
Angus has fought for students with disabilities, parking equity, and Belmont’s homeowners and patrons. He isn’t in this fight for the fun of it, he’s in it because he cares about you and me – he wants to make this town the best it can be.
I urge the voters of Belmont to consider Angus for the future; not because he’s young, but because he has the experience that our beautiful Town of Homes desperately needs. To the undecided voters, I leave you with this, we have tried expert leadership, we have tried outsiders, we have tried parents, and we are still with challenges that need solutions desperately – is it not time to try a student?
Joel Iglesias Lopez