🔨 Tomorrow is PRELIMINARY Day - Only for D2
Meet the candidates for District 2 School Committee
Good evening, Framingham.
It is municipal election season here in Framingham. Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 16, is a Preliminary Election day for only one race in only one district.
School Committee is the only race on the ballot for those of you who live in District 2.
Current School Committee member David Gordon is being challenged by Lorena Tovar and Luther Evans. The top two vote getters tomorrow will move onto the General Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
District 2 is made up of precincts 25, 26, and 27.
Not sure of your precinct and district? Visit wheredoivotema.com for information, including where you vote.
Polls open at 7:00am and close at 8:00pm.
Polling locations are:
Precincts 25 & 26: Walsh Middle School, 301 Brook Street
Precinct 27: George P. King School, 454 Water Street
Meet the Candidates
All three candidates were emailed at the same time over the weekend with the same following questions. None of the responses were edited by me. Mr. Evans did not respond to my email. If he does respond shortly after this is published, I will update the issue.
Name: David Gordon
Occupation: Chief Financial Officer
Municipal Experience:
Current District 2 School Committee Member and Finance Committee Chair, focusing on transparency, accountability, and student-centered budgeting.
Former Director of Finance & Administration, Westborough Public Schools, overseeing finance, facilities, transportation, food services, and capital
planning.
Former Finance Director/Director of Operations, Somerville Public Schools, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, facilities, transportation, and procurement.
Volunteer Experience:
Framingham Public Schools – Elected District 2 School Committee Member
(2022–present); Chair of the Finance Committee.
Triangle, Inc. (Malden, MA) – Board Member and Finance Committee Member, supporting programs that empower people with disabilities.
Plymouth House Nursery School (Framingham, MA) – Board Member, contributing financial and operational guidance.
Youth Sports – Volunteer coach for local flag football and youth programs,
helping to build teamwork and community for Framingham’s children.
Website/Social media: David Gordon - Re-Election. Framingham School Committee, District 2
Why are you running for District 2 School Committee?
I’m running for re-election to the district 2 School Committee because I believe in our shared responsibility to ensure every child in Framingham receives a high-quality, student-centered education. This work is personal to me: I grew up in these schools, my children attend them now, and my family remains rooted here. That perspective drives my commitment - not just as a public servant, but as a parent and neighbor who understands the hopes and concerns of our families.
What motivates me most is strengthening the partnership between our schools and the community. I want families to feel heard, educators supported, and students valued. That means engaging directly through community events, and everyday conversations so your concerns guide our priorities.
Accountability is equally important. As Chair of the Finance Committee, I’ve focused on transparency and oversight to ensure every dollar is spent responsibly and aligned with student needs. Families and taxpayers deserve open communication, careful stewardship, and leadership that listens.
I am running because I know how much Framingham’s schools mean to our community, and I believe we can continue to make progress when we center decisions on students, invite the community to the table, and hold ourselves accountable for results. This is more than a position, it’s a commitment to our children and the trust you place in district leadership.
If elected, what would you bring to the School Committee?
If re-elected, I would bring three things above all else: experience, accountability, and a deep commitment to serving our students and families.
First, I bring professional expertise. With more than 15 years in education finance and operations, I understand how to align resources with priorities. On the School Committee, that means making sure our budget decisions translate into real support in classrooms whether that’s smaller class sizes, strong special education services, or equitable access to programs for English Language Learners and students from all backgrounds.
Second, I bring a strong focus on oversight and transparency. As Chair of the Finance Committee, I’ve worked to make sure our community can clearly see where funds are going and why. Taxpayers and families deserve confidence that district leadership is being held accountable and that our decisions are always grounded in what’s best for students.
Finally, I bring a commitment to accessibility and engagement. I will continue to show up at meetings, school events, and forums because I believe this work has to be done in partnership with the community. Listening to your concerns and working with you directly is how we strengthen trust and ensure that our schools reflect the values and needs of Framingham.
What I bring is not just experience, it’s a promise to remain student-focused, transparent, and community-driven in every decision I make on the School Committee.
What are three issues facing the schools that you will address?
The three issues I see as most pressing are: transportation, student achievement, and community trust.
First, transportation. As we transition to in-house busing, families deserve reliable service and clear communication. My role will be to ensure this shift is managed carefully; that costs are controlled, routes are efficient, and parents are kept informed every step of the way.
Second, student achievement. Our students have tremendous potential, and we must keep pushing forward. That means supporting teachers with the tools they need, using data to measure progress, and ensuring equity so that students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and those facing economic challenges have the resources to succeed. Every decision we make must be centered on students.
Third, community trust and accountability. Families and taxpayers need confidence that district leadership is listening, responding, and making decisions transparently. I will continue to bring oversight and financial accountability, while also creating more opportunities for families to share concerns and ideas.
While Framingham's Chapter 70 funding from the state has steadily increased, what would you like to see in next fiscal year's budget?
Transportation. As we bring busing in-house, we need to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient service. That means investing in buses, drivers, and routing systems so families can count on timely transportation and clear communication.
Early education. Expanding access to early education is one of the best long-term
investments we can make. I’d like to see continued growth in Pre-K and early learning programs so more children enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
Student support. Resources should flow directly into classrooms with smaller class sizes, strong curriculum tools, and robust supports for students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and those facing economic challenges.
Facilities and maintenance. Families and staff consistently share concerns about the condition of our buildings and grounds. More funding must go toward safe, well-maintained learning spaces that reflect the pride we have in our schools.
The School Committee recently voted in favor of a resolution in support of state bill S2581 that would require all public school districts to go cell phone-free during school hours. Do you support this resolution and bill?
Yes, I support this resolution and the state bill. At the end of the day, our schools need to be student-centered, and the research is clear that reducing or eliminating cell phone use during the school day benefits student learning and well-being.
A few key points stand out:
Studies show that students in cell phone-free schools gain the equivalent of an additional week of learning each year because distractions are reduced.
Research found that banning cell phones in schools improved test scores, with the
largest gains among low-achieving students.
Schools that go cell phone-free also report better classroom engagement, fewer
discipline issues, and improved peer interaction.
This is not about taking away technology, it’s about creating focused learning environments where students can engage fully with their teachers and peers.
Name: Lorena Tovar
Occupation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)- Assistant Dir. Academic Programs
Municipal Experience: not applicable
Volunteer Experience: Hoops & Homework, Local Worker Center
Website/Social media: Lorena Tovar for School Committee - District 2
Why are you running for District 2 School Committee?
I’m running because, while our schools have many strengths, they also face real challenges. As a parent with children in the district, I’ve seen the barriers families encounter. I want to bring a student-centered perspective, ask the tough questions, and make sure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
If elected, what would you bring to the School Committee?
I bring bilingualism, a bicultural perspective, and the lived experience of being both a parent and an immigrant in our schools. Alongside my professional background, I offer passion, dedication, and accountability. I am committed to equity, clear communication with families, and being responsive to constituents.
What are three issues facing the schools that you will address?
My top priorities are improving student performance, supporting and retaining educators, and increasing transparency with families. At the root of all three is accountability—making sure families, especially immigrant families, feel engaged and supported.
While Framingham's Chapter 70 funding from the state has steadily increased, what would you like to see in next fiscal year's budget?
I would like to see an audit to ensure all schools are receiving equal supports and services. We also should make sure students who need extra support are prioritized, including multilingual learners, special education students, and those needing social-emotional resources.
The School Committee recently voted in favor of a resolution in support of state bill S2581 that would require all public school districts to go cell phone-free during school hours. Do you support this resolution and bill?
Yes. Teachers report that managing cell phones makes their jobs harder, and students are often distracted and less able to focus and learn when phones are present. Limiting phone use also reduces opportunities for cyberbullying, helping create a safer and more supportive learning environment.
To Learn More about the Candidates
Access Framingham is a great resource to learn more about the candidates.
The Frame, AFTV’s news program (a must watch, if you don’t already!), recently interviewed all of the candidates. You can watch the interviews on their YouTube page or the video linked below.
They also offered each candidate to record a video statement.
David Gordon:
Lorena Tovar:
Luther Evans:
Community Events
Framingham to Open Time Capsule
Did you know there were time capsules buried on the grounds of the Memorial Building?
One of them will be opened this Wednesday in honor of Framingham’s 325th anniversary.
Stop by at 6:00pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the plaza at the Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street.
On September 17, 2000, the 300th Anniversary Committee, chaired by then-Town Manager George P. King Jr., buried two time capsules. One was set to be opened in 2025, and the second will remain sealed until 2100. Now serving as an at-large City Councilor and member of the 325th Celebration Committee, Councilor King will join Mayor Charlie Sisitsky in opening the 300th capsule and unveiling its contents at the ceremony.
What do you think will be in the capsule? Will we find a Blockbuster membership card? A burnt cd with the top hits of the day? A flip phone? A Pepsi Twist? Or recordings of Friends and Dawson’s Creek? The possibilities are endless!
Stay tuned!
Framingham To Hold POW/MIA Ceremony
The Veterans Council will hold the City’s first-ever National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony on Friday, September 19, at 12:15 p.m. in the rotunda of the Memorial Building.
The public is warmly invited to attend this important observance, which honors America’s prisoners of war (POWs) and those still missing in action (MIA).
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually on the third Friday in September. Established in 1979, the day serves as a solemn reminder of the nation’s commitment to account for those who sacrificed their freedom, and in many cases their lives, in service to the United States.
KFB Trash Bash 325
In honor of the 325th anniversary of Framingham, Keep Framingham Beautiful (KFB) is excited to host Trash Bash 325!
KFB’s goal is to get 325+ folks in the community picking up litter from Wednesday 9/17 to Wednesday 9/24; ANY amount counts!
Be part of something BIG as our 325+ Trash Bash participants will join an estimated 20+ million volunteers worldwide as both National and World Cleanup Days are on Saturday 9/20.
If you can participate, please fill out this google form - https://forms.gle/G8xToAyf3REwiimw9
The Civic Week Ahead
Tuesday, September 16
Wednesday, September 17
Thursday, September 18
In Closing…
If you live in D2, please vote!
Believe in Framingham,
