Hi - I’m Laura. I live in Arlington with my husband and our two children, who are in 5th and 3rd grade at Peirce Elementary. I ran for School Committee in 2023 because I care deeply about our public schools and our town.

Serving on the School Committee over the past three years has been an honor and a responsibility I take seriously, especially during challenging budget times. In moments like these, experience matters. Our community benefits from School Committee members who understand the work, can collaborate effectively with one another and with district leadership, and can make thoughtful, informed decisions.

I’m running for reelection in 2026 to continue advocating for strong, equitable schools and steady, transparent leadership for Arlington.

I was elected to Arlington Town Meeting in 2018 and served through 2024, gaining firsthand experience in how town government works and how decisions about budgets, policy, and long-term planning are made. That experience informs my work on the School Committee every day.

I am currently serving as the Vice Chair of the School Committee, having served as Secretary in 2024-25. Since being elected to the Arlington School Committee in 2023, I have served on the Budget, Policy & Procedures, and Community Relations subcommittees, and currently chair the Community Relations subcommittee. I also serve as one of the School Committee representatives to the Town’s Long Range Planning Committee. During my first year as a School Committee member I served as the committee's liaison to the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).

During my first term, I have helped:

Advocate for increased special education funding and greater transparency in special education processes
Restore full-time elementary librarians
Update district policies to better reflect Arlington’s commitment to equity and belonging
Update district policies to increase transparency about Special Education
Organize Community Budget Forums to make school finance more understandable and accessible to families
Support investments that strengthen educator recruitment and retention

Beyond the Committee, I have been deeply involved in the work required to sustain strong public schools in a challenging fiscal environment. I served as co-director of field operations for the 2023 Invest in Arlington override campaign and am currently co-director of field operations for the 2026 Yes to Keep Arlington Strong campaign - efforts that directly support teacher contracts, improve retention, and protect key student services.

My commitment to Arlington Public Schools extends beyond elected office. I have served on the board of the Peirce School PTO, have been a member of the Peirce Principal’s Council, volunteer in the school library, and even worked as a substitute teacher when APS put out an urgent call for help. I also served on the Town’s LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission, where my work focused on supporting students through the Commission’s Education Working Group.

I bring experience, collaboration, and a deep belief in public education to my work. I believe that when we invest in our schools - thoughtfully and transparently - we strengthen not just our students, but our entire community.

Please consider voting for me for School Committee on Saturday, March 28, or by mail-in ballot.

To learn more about voting by mail, click here.

Contact Laura

Laura would love to hear from you about your hopes for the Arlington Public Schools. Contact her anytime at laura[at]electlauragitelson.com

Authorized and paid for by the Committee to Elect Laura Gitelson