Londonderry News

To the Voters of Londonderry:

My name is Leitha Reilly and I am a candidate for a position on the School Board.  I look forward to working as a member of the School Board to continually improve the education experience of our children in Londonderry and believe I am uniquely qualified to do so.

Prior to starting a family, I worked as a Director for a Fortune 500 company. In this capacity, I was responsible for a staff of over 40 people, a budget of $13 million and negotiation of contracts with customers and vendors to set performance criteria and allocate the funds to achieve these goals. Education was key to this responsibility; I received a Bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst and earned an MBA from Boston College.

I was fortunate to grow up in an award-winning school district that produced professional and Olympic athletes, TV personalities in children’s education and political journalism and a recipient of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.  The success of the school district led the community to be constantly re-infused with families and business seeking to provide their children and employees with access to those educational opportunities.  That experience taught me that an investment in our schools is an investment in the community, and that an exemplary school system is one that offers a strong and varied academic experience, vibrant sports and arts programs, and a variety of clubs serving both academic and civic purposes.  My husband and I are raising our family in Londonderry because it has similar qualities.

Since moving to Londonderry in 2007, I have worked to make a difference in the community. I am a graduate of Leadership Londonderry 2010.  I currently serve on the Planning Board and Southern NH Planning Commission, I am Chairman of the Master Plan Steering Committee, I manage several PTA-sponsored programs at South School where our 3 children attend, and am a Substitute Teacher in the district.

I support a continuing effort by School Administrators and the School Board to work closely to address the impacts of an ailing economy and rising costs, initiate creative solutions to complex problems where possible, and make difficult choices when necessary.  I support Educators who teach to the whole child instead of teaching to a test, teach a mastery of subjects rather than rote memorization of disconnected facts, and promote higher order thinking and problem solving skills.  I support budget decisions that are reasonable in context and mindful of human consequences.  As a School Board Member I will promote ways to facilitate continuous improvement in education delivery and cost management, stimulate the introduction of new methods of educating and utilization of technologies, and consider opportunities for enterprise and foundation funding.  I have the energy, enthusiasm and skills necessary to listen attentively, analyze and conduct proper due diligence, and exercise sound judgment to shape the future success of the school district in Londonderry, and I ask for your consideration and your vote on Election Day.

Respectfully, Leitha Reilly