Three years ago, Jung Yueh won a seat on the Belmont School Committee. Now running for his second term, Yueh said his work isn’t finished yet.
Yueh is one of two candidates running unopposed for reelection to the School Committee. The other is Amy Zuccarello.
As an actuary and trained mediator, Yueh said he ran for School Committee three years ago believing his experience and perspective would help guide the committee through challenging budget questions and bring an understanding of communication. While he feels the committee made strides in his first term, Yueh feels he has more to give.
“I felt I was able to contribute. I felt my voice was heard. I felt I was able to make a difference, and I don’t feel like my work is done yet,” Yueh said.
Since moving with his family to Belmont in 2010, Yueh has been involved in organizations across town, including the youth soccer program and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Butler Elementary School.
“Being in Belmont is all about the connections that we make. At some point it becomes more than just my time, this is for all of us,” he said.
Yueh touted the committee’s dedication to bringing more in-house special education services to the district—an effort driven in part by district finances. He said Belmont’s out-of-district spending was out of control, adding that while the cost hasn’t necessarily decreased, the district has set itself up to start reducing special education costs.
Previous reporting by The Voice showed that in fiscal year 2025, Belmont was projected to spend $13 million — or about 20% of its total budget — on out-of-district tuition and transportation for students with special needs. In fiscal year 2019, the cost was about $7.5 million.
By keeping cost and out-of-district enrollment consistent, Yueh said the committee can turn its focus to providing increased services for Belmont students. In 2023, when Yueh was first elected, a study indicated that there were 155 students placed out-of-district.
“My goal is always making sure that our students are supported, and not just keeping the budget stable. Finance is a means to support a student,” he said.
He added that in his next term, he wants to continue to provide guidance to school leaders that aligns with the Belmont community’s priorities. Excellence in the schools is a core part of the community — Yueh moved to Belmont for the school system.
According to Yueh, both the town and the School Committee will need to look closely at finances in the near future to preserve the standards of Belmont schools and consider an additional override.
“It’s important to keep our promises so that our students are being well served, keep the schools excellent, and keep the town’s services intact,” Yueh said. “That does translate to needing to pass another override in the next year or two, and I feel my voice is important for that as well.”
