EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REGION G
Michael Zilles, Newton
In these tough times we need our MTA leadership to stand up for our
rights, lead a fight for genuine education reform, and hold our politicians
accountable. As President of the Newton Teachers Association, I’ve done
this. Under my leadership, we have successfully bargained contracts that
provided real gains in tough economic times, built a strong collaborative
relationship with administrators that gives educators a voice, and helped
re-elect a mayor who has respected our collective bargaining rights. I will
bring to the MTA the same passion, dedication and strategic thinking that
I bring to my leadership of the NTA!
Candidates vie for seats on Board and Executive Committee
Biographical statements of Executive Committee candidates
I n addition to contests for the statewide offices of MTA President and Vice President, the Annual Meeting of Delegates will feature contests for seats on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Michael Zilles of Newton and Kim Auger of Everett are vying
for the Region G seat on the Executive Committee. Jean Sherlock of
Chicopee and Erin DuFresne of Holyoke are running for the District
26A seat on the Board of Directors.
All other candidates for the Executive Committee and the Board
have been declared elected under the election waiver in the MTA
Bylaws. The provision states that if there is only one candidate for an
open position, the election will be waived and the candidate is declared
elected. Terms on the Board and Executive Committee begin July 1 and
last for three years.
The candidates declared elected because of the election waiver are:
Executive Committee
Region A: Ginger Armstrong, Lee
Region C: Beth Stafford, Whitman-Hanson
Region F: Kathy Meltsakos, Andover
At-Large Retired: Gerard Ruane, MTA Retired
At-Large ESP: Robert Travers, Cambridge
Board of Directors
At-Large ESP: Donna Johnson, University Staff Association
District 3A: Sharon Carlson, Northampton
District 4A: Jean Fay, Amherst-Pelham
District 5A: Shirley Peaks, Springfield
District 8B: Karen Ballway, Auburn
District 11B: Elaine Valk, Sutton Education Support Professionals
District 34C: Tammy Johnson, Plymouth-Carver
District 27D: Nicole Prevost, Quincy
District: 22F: Kerry Costello, Andover
District 18G: Debra King, Watertown
District 21G: Laura Vago, Malden
District 44H: Catherine Boudreau, MCCC
Candidates who supplied photos are pictured with this article.
The biographical statements of the Executive Committee and Board
candidates in contested races appear below and on page 29.
Ginger Armstrong Kim Auger Karen Ballway Sharon Carlson Kerry Costello
Erin DuFresne Jean Fay Donna Johnson Tammy Johnson Debra King
Kathy Meltsakos Shirley Peaks Nicole Prevost Gerard Ruane Beth Stafford
Robert Travers Laura Vago Elaine Valk Michael Zilles
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REGION G
Kim Auger, Everett
I am Kim Auger, a candidate for re-election to the Region G Executive
Committee seat. Three years ago, I made a commitment to communicate
with the local leaders and Board members. Since that time, I have met
monthly with these local leaders to discuss issues and the concerns of
their members. I have brought these concerns and issues forward to the
Executive Committee. I am a member of the MTA Board Bargaining
Team and was elected to the Advisory Budget Committee, two critically
important MTA committees. I ask for your support to re-elect me to the
MTA Executive Committee.