FRAMINGHAM – District 2 has the only preliminary election in the city, with three candidates running for School Committee. The preliminary election is on Tuesday Sept. 16. You have until Sept. 6 to register and Sept. 9 to request a mail-in ballot.
While I don’t usually cover School Committee issues, this is a special case because of the preliminary. I sent a questionnaire to all three candidate by postal mail, and a reminder before the Aug. 31 deadline. Challengers Lorena Tovar and Luther Evans both responded. I did not receive a response from incumbent David Gordon by yesterday’s deadline.
Lorena Tovar
Why are you running for School Committee? The MetroWest Daily News recently published a letter I wrote that speaks directly to why I am running for School Committee (link here).
In essence, I am running because, while the Framingham Public Schools have many strengths and success stories, they also face significant challenges. As a parent of a Barbieri student, with another child soon entering PreK, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for families to navigate the school system. My background has given me insight into the barriers many families encounter, and I believe I can contribute the questions and perspectives that help guide the School Committee in making thoughtful, student-centered decisions.
I envision stronger family-community-school partnerships, which will ultimately benefit our students, educators, and the broader community.
What would you like voters to know about your background and qualifications? I am an immigrant from Mexico and have lived in the U.S. for 20 years. I currently run the Master in City Planning program at MIT, which is ranked among the top five in the world, and have worked in a variety of roles there, gaining experience in strategy, leadership, and collaboration. While I don’t directly oversee budgets, I work within one and understand the complexities and impact of budget decisions, which will be valuable in supporting the Framingham Public Schools.
I also bring the perspective of a parent with children in the Framingham Public Schools and the lived experience of navigating the education system as an immigrant. My husband comes from a long-established Framingham family that has lived here for seven generations—with even a couple of city streets named after them—and together we chose to raise our children here because we believe in the many strengths of this city
I am passionate about education because every stage from PreK through 12th grade plays a critical role in shaping a student’s future. Whether it’s building strong foundations in the early years, mastering core skills in middle school, or preparing for college and careers in high school, each step matters. I want to ensure our district supports every child at every stage so all students can thrive.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Framingham Public Schools? How do you plan to address them? In my view,our district faces three pressing challenges: declining student performance, ongoing difficulties with teacher retention, and a lack of consistent transparency in communication between schools and the community. At the root of these issues is accountability. From the superintendent to school leaders to teachers, accountability must guide every decision made on behalf of our students.
Educators deserve the resources and support they need to do their jobs effectively—we cannot expect them to continually do more with less.
Families, too, must feel seen and heard. Clear, two-way communication is essential. Too often, assumptions are made that what seems clear to school personnel is also clear to families, which is not always the case. Families should never walk away from an encounter feeling dismissed or unheard. Building trust requires intentional, culturally responsive communication strategies that meet families where they are.
Additionally, at this moment, immigrant families face significant challenges. The district must both support and protect immigrant students and caregivers. I believe we should adopt a resolution, such as the one recently passed in New Bedford, to enshrine these protections into policy. This is not only a matter of equity but also of sustainability—losing immigrant students would reduce our Chapter 70 state funding, leaving fewer resources for all students.
Do you have plans for community outreach if elected? Absolutely. I believe strongly in the power of partnerships and would like to see formalized connections between families, schools, and community-based organizations. Framingham is fortunate to have many organizations supporting students outside of school hours, and their voices should be included when decisions are made about student needs and well-being.
Additionally, if elected, I plan to engage directly with families and community members in District 2 through regular outreach and open communication, ensuring their perspectives help guide the work of the School Committee – as is the purpose of any elected official, regardless of compensation.
How can voters find out more about you? Please visit my Facebook campaign page: facebook.com/lorenatovarforsc.
If you have specific questions, feel free to email me at lorena.tovar.for.sc@gmail.com
What else would you like to tell residents of District 2? I’m not a politician, and serving on the School Committee does not benefit me professionally – I’m not doing this to add to my resume or as a steppingstone to a career in public service. I’m running because I am a mother who cares not just about my own child, but about all students in our district. I firmly believe that when every student succeeds, our entire community grows stronger. Our kids deserve a better, more successful district, and I want to help make that happen. That is why I am running, and I would be truly honored to have your vote.
You can count on me to put the needs of our students, families, and educators first, to actively participate in every School Committee meeting, and to respond promptly to emails and calls.
Luther Evans
Why are you running for School Committee? First and foremost, I am passionate about serving to make our community better than how we found it. I am running to ensure that every student in Framingham – regardless of background, ability, or zip code – has access to a safe, inclusive, and high-quality education that prepares them for success in life. Our schools are at the heart of our community, and I believe the School Committee must be a strong advocate for equity, transparency, and student-centered decision-making. I want to listen to families, amplify their voices, and make sure our policies reflect the needs of our diverse community.
What would you like voters to know about your background and qualifications? I am blessed to be a Framingham resident of 8 years, passionate about community work. I have served on local advisory councils, youth programs, and educational initiatives, and I bring both lived experience and professional expertise to the role. My background includes work in STEM education, nonprofit leadership, and program coordination, as well as advocacy for accessible, equitable resources in schools. I understand how to navigate systems, build coalitions, and bring people together to get results. My term will be a hands-on approach – actively engaging with the community and being proactive in listening to the voices of our city, parents, students, and teachers.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Framingham Public Schools? My priorities include addressing opportunity gaps and ensuring racial equity while expanding college, career, and vocational readiness programs at the high school level – such as résumé building, workforce development, college prep training, and financial literacy to prevent future debt and credit pitfalls. I am committed to supporting students with disabilities through accessible infrastructure, inclusive instructional practices, and teacher training in emotional intelligence and cultural competency. Additionally, I will advocate for robust K–12 enrichment programs after school and during the summer to promote academic growth and engagement, while also improving mental health resources and addressing post-pandemic learning loss.
How do you plan to work to address them? I will advocate for equity-focused budgeting that directs resources to students with the greatest needs, while partnering with community groups to help set measurable racial equity goals and accountability metrics. To ensure progress, I support mid-year and end-of-year student experience surveys that track inclusivity and belonging. I will also strengthen collaboration with local businesses, higher education, and nonprofits to expand pathways for internships, mentorships, and skills-based learning, and work to broaden professional development for educators in cultural responsiveness, inclusive practices, and trauma-informed teaching.
Do you have plans for community outreach if elected? Absolutely. I plan to hold regular “listening sessions” in District 2 – both in-person and virtually – to hear directly from students, parents, and educators. I will also maintain open communication through newsletters, social media updates, and school visits. My goal is to make the School Committee more accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people it serves.
How can voters find out more about you? Voters will be able to connect with me not only through the school committee meetings, but also through community events and school gatherings whenever possible. I believe in being visible and available to be in conversation with the people I represent — if you see me in the neighborhood, I want you to feel comfortable stopping to talk. My campaign email is luthertevans.school@gmail.com
What else would you like to tell residents of District 2? This role is about more than meetings and budgets – it’s about shaping the future for our children and ensuring our schools are places where every student can thrive. I’m running because I believe Framingham has incredible potential, and together, we can make our school system a model of equity, excellence, and innovation. I’m committed to listening, learning, and working tirelessly for our students and families. I’m also participating in the 2025 Jimmy Fund Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 5K Walk to raise funds in defiance of cancer and to support awareness for the CURE program, which empowers underrepresented students to pursue education in research sciences. If you’re able to support in any capacity, it would be a blessing for our future! Here is a link to my team’s page: https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=2380&pg=team&team_id=31603
Sign up for the District 2 email-list.