From the Lexington Minuteman:  January 5, 2012

Three years ago I enthusiastically endorsed Jessie Steigerwald’s candidacy for School Committee, predicting that the Jessie I knew would bring enormous talent, intelligence, creativity and hard work to the job. Good prediction. She promised to bring accountability, community building, and creative problem solving. Jessie has consistently delivered on those promises. Over the past three years it has been clear how important a part Jessie has played for the benefit of Lexington’s schools, their students, the parents of those students, and the community at large.

As always, while busy fulfilling the many responsibilities of her School Committee position, Jessie still is available to help wherever needed. A good example occurred last year when a group of Conservation Stewards were facing a tight deadline for submitting a state grant application for funds to improve trails in Paint Mine Conservation Area. As the trails are near Estabrook School and are used in the school’s Big Back Yard (BBY) program, we belatedly realized we needed to include in the application evidence of support from the School Administration, the School Committee, and the BBY coordinator at Estabrook. Knowing of her dedication to the BBY program as a Hastings parent some years before, we turned in a near panic to Jessie for help. She quickly arranged a tour to familiarize herself with the proposed project, then with her characteristic enthusiasm wrote a splendid support letter, got it approved and signed, and allowed us to meet our deadline. (Incidentally, the grant was awarded and work began in the fall on the trail improvements.)

I am delighted that Jessie has agreed to run for another term on the School Committee and encourage all to support her candidacy and give her your vote.— Stewart Kennedy, Liberty Avenue