Rachel Sharifipour for Shrewsbury School Committee

My name is Rachel Sharifipour, and I am running for re-election to Shrewsbury's School Committee in the May 5th Annual Town Election. 

I am running for re-election to the School Committee because I feel strongly that Shrewsbury deserves to continue to have great schools which benefit students, families, staff and town residents. I am running on these principles:

• I care deeply about the Shrewsbury Public Schools as a parent of three current students, as a volunteer who has spent many hours in our school buildings, and as a resident of our great town. I will continue to bring fresh ideas towards advancing our district;

• Every single student deserves an equal opportunity to the high-quality education Shrewsbury Public Schools has to offer. I remain committed to ensuring that every child be given the chance to succeed regardless of ability, income level or English proficiency. We must work together to eliminate inequities in student performance, and we must work together to ensure that the mental and emotional health needs of our students are met;

• I remain firmly committed to expanding vocational and Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for Shrewsbury students. After losing access to Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School several years ago, our district responded with determination — significantly strengthening CTE programming and opportunities at both the middle and high school levels. Notable among these many new opportunities came in November 2024 when the School Committee entered into a Memorandum of Agreement establishing a preferred vocational partnership with the Leicester Public Schools.

Every student deserves access to pathways that help them reach their full potential and prepare them for real-world success, whether that includes a four-year college degree or direct entry into a career;

• We must meet the needs of our students and staff while remaining accountable to taxpayers. In 2025, the School Committee worked with District Management Group (DMG) to assess the district’s financial health and strengthen long-term planning. I will continue to provide responsible fiscal leadership, maximize the impact of every dollar, and collaborate with other municipal leaders to ensure lasting financial stability;

• Our students cannot thrive unless the staff of our schools are supported to the fullest extent possible. Our collective success is dependent on their ability to educate and have access to the tools, professional development, and healthy work-life balance;

• As the Shrewsbury Public Schools welcomes a new superintendent in July, steady and experienced leadership on our School Committee is crucial. I will provide thoughtful oversight, set clear goals and expectations, and ensure accountability — all while giving our new leader the support necessary to lead effectively and our community the stability they deserve;

• Shrewsbury High School’s current enrollment of 1,899 students significantly exceeds both its original and contemporary design capacity, placing ongoing strain on classrooms, facilities, and programming. While the district has taken thoughtful steps to mitigate these pressures, a long-term solution is needed for the severe overcrowding at Shrewsbury High.

Following overwhelming support from Town Meeting in an October 2025 Special Town Meeting, our partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has entered the feasibility study phase of a potential renovation and expansion project.

I will continue to advocate for a fiscally responsible, forward-looking plan and ensure transparent communication with residents so our community can make a well-informed decision about this critical investment.