Valerie Seveney

School Committee Member

• 29-year Portsmouth Resident

• Portsmouth Early Childhood Teacher (1999-2023)

• Education: B.A. (Summa Cum Laude), University of Southern Maine, May 1983; M. Ed. George Mason

• University, June 1997; Fuse RI Fellowship - Highlander Institute

• Spouse: Jim; Children: Sarah (PHS 2002), Matthew (PHS

• 2005)

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Why I’m Running

All students have the right to an excellent public education. As a career early childhood educator, I understand what that commitment takes. My highest priority as a school committee member will be to ensure our students develop the strong, foundational skills they need to be successful in school, and for life beyond. I support our hard-working Portsmouth educators and will prioritize their needs to ensure their students’ success. I believe in collaboration and will partner with the Superintendent and school administration to help implement clear, student-first policies with measurable goals and efficient fiscal execution.

Important Issues

Academic rigor and excellence. Providing an outstanding education to our students is our core mission. By maximizing student engagement we will maximize student learning. Portsmouth is a high performing school district which we will continue to build upon. We will give our students every opportunity to succeed.

Whole child.

We will keep students’ welfare at the center of decision-making, and ensure every student has the support they need to succeed. By broadening our definition of success from narrowly defined academic achievement to encompass their safety, physical health and mental well-being. To make this happen we will help them forge strong connections socially and emotionally, so our students grow and thrive both in school and in life.

Public education is the cornerstone of our American democracy.

These are challenging times. Supporting and defending public education has never been more important. My core belief is that our public schools, reaching out across our communities and taking all comers, is our great equalizer. We must keep focused on supporting and developing students’ resilience and maximizing their learning.

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I humbly ask for your support, and your vote.