Rajeev PARLIKAR

Newton School Committee

Thank you for electing me to the Newton School Committee in the November 2021 citywide election. I appreciate your support!

Please contact me at parlikarr@newton.k12.ma.us with your questions or concerns about our schools.

Rajeev smiling

WHY I AM RUNNING

I am excited to be running for Newton School Committee from Ward 1 in the citywide election in November 2021.

Newton Public Schools will be facing significant challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic. As a member of the School Committee, I will draw upon my background and experience to help address those challenges and shape the direction in which we move forward. 

As a Newton resident since 1994; as a parent of an NPS student since 2007; as a special education parent; as a first-generation immigrant; and as a minority in our increasingly diverse city, I will contribute important perspectives that will strengthen the School Committee.

After earning engineering degrees from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Dartmouth College, I have built a successful career as a strategy consultant and executive. I will draw upon my professional background to provide oversight to NPS, and to help the School Committee work with the administration to develop a vision for the future and robust plans for how to get there. 

Rajeev speaking at SEPAC event

NEWTON EXPERIENCE

I believe it is important to give back to our community and have consistently been involved in issues related to Newton Public Schools. I have served as:

  • Co-Chair of the Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for five years, supporting Newton’s special education families and advising both the School Committee and NPS administration on special education issues
  • A member of the NPS Fall Planning Team, which worked on the plan to return to fully in-person learning in fall 2021
  • A member of the NPS High School Working Group, which developed the successful plan for returning high school students to in-person learning in January 2021
  • The parent representative on search committees for senior NPS administrators
  • A member of the NPS Transition Taskforce, working to improve how NPS helps special education students prepare for life after high school

Through my work on school issues I have built strong relationships with parents, teachers, NPS administrators, and the School Committee. I will continue to work collaboratively, be open to diverse opinions, and make data-driven decisions that are in the best interests of our students.

Rajeev and family

MY PRIORITIES

My top priorities include continuing to work towards achieving excellence for our schools, helping our students and school community recover from the pandemic, and making our schools a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all. I will work to rebuild trust within our community and commit to improving communication and transparency. (Additional details are on the Priorities page.)

I strongly believe that all our children should have access to an education that lets them grow to their full potential, with each student getting both the opportunities and the support they need to succeed.

My son started in NPS in 2007 and now is a sophomore at Newton North. Over the years, my son has benefited from Newton’s capable and dedicated educators and support staff as well as the many resources we have available within NPS. I want to keep our schools strong for my son and for all NPS students.

I look forward to meeting with voters across Newton to hear your questions, concerns, and feedback about our schools. I’m happy to set up a call or schedule a socially-distanced walk. I would love to hear from you and hope to earn your support!

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Rajeev Parlikar
Chau Nguyen, Treasurer