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​Dear Weston Community,

My name is Maija Gooch, and I am running for School Committee. I am a mother of two elementary-aged kids and have an extensive background in business, finance, and strategy. I am ready to dedicate my skills and energy to support Weston and our goal of excellence in education.  I believe successful boards need to be collaborative and have diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Financial and business expertise is not well represented on our School Committee and my skills would complement the existing team.  

You may know me from the various groups around town where I am involved.  I am currently an elected member of Weston’s Recreation Commission, where I have been active in developing plans to renovate our Memorial Pool and make it a self-supporting local destination.  I am on the Weston PTO Board and proudly serve as co-chair of our Special Education Parents Advisory Council.   In addition, I was a member of PTO’s Creative Arts Committee and spent several seasons as an assistant soccer coach for 3rd and 4th grade teams.

I have an MBA and BBA from the University of Michigan. I worked at Bain & Company, American Express, and Barclays doing strategy, product development, and corporate finance.  My projects included work for Fortune 500 companies, both in the US and globally.  Currently I serve on the finance committee at the Meadowbrook School, where we have refinanced the debt, addressed critical post-Covid staffing issues, and work to ensure our financial resources will support the school’s mission now and in the future.  I also serve on the budget committee at Pine Brook Country Club conducting budget oversight and ensuring financial alignment with our strategic goals. 

Raised in a military family, I attended five different public school systems, some excellent and some not so great.  I have seen the impact of school quality on students, families, and the wider community.  School quality was the primary reason my family chose Weston when we moved here.  Weston is an amazing place to live and raise a family, and our schools are a huge factor.  Our schools are highly ranked, well-funded, and staffed by committed, wonderful teachers. We have many reasons to be proud of our schools.

Weston also has a number of challenges that need to be systematically addressed with planning, oversight, and accountability.   
  • 18% of our elementary and middle school students did not meet state MCAS standards in math, and 17% in English before Covid. Post-Covid MCAS scores have slipped even further. I want to support programs and policies that ensure that all Weston students reach proficiency in math and English.
  • Covid has been a huge disruption and has had a heartbreaking impact on many families. Mental health problems are up, and students need support to get back on track.  
  • The achievement gap between our overall student population and students with disabilities, high needs, or minorities remains higher than the state average, indicating an issue with equity.
  • In the past 10 years, our school budget has increased over 30%, while enrollment declined 15%. Weston needs a long-term strategic plan that addresses the realities of changing demographics while providing educational excellence.

To these challenges I will bring not just passion for our schools, but a business perspective that embraces collaboration, transparency, and data-driven analytics.  I believe in asking the tough questions, doing the hard work to develop solutions, and then holding ourselves accountable for the outcomes. I want to make sure Weston schools are the best they can be.

Please reach out with questions, concerns and ideas by emailing me at [email protected].  It would be my honor to serve you on the Weston School Committee. I ask for your vote on May 7th.

Sincerely,
Maija Gooch