Mayor Menino Appoints School Committee Members

Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced the appointment of Claudio Martinez and re-appointment of Marchelle Raynor to four-year terms on the Boston School Committee. Next Monday, January 7, Mayor Menino will swear in Mr. Martinez and Ms. Raynor in his office. The Boston School Committee will hold its annual organizational meeting immediately thereafter at 5:00 p.m. in the Winter Chamber, 26 Court Street.

"The Boston School Committee plays an essential role in the education of our children," Mayor Menino said. "I am extremely pleased today to appoint and re-appoint two extraordinary citizens who have devoted their careers to supporting children and families, both of whom are highly respected role models."

This is Marchelle Raynor's third term on the Boston School Committee, having first been appointed in January 1999, and having served as the Committee's vice-chair for the past five years. A resident of Roxbury and licensed clinical social worker, Ms. Raynor is the Program Director for the Gertrude E. Townsend Head Start Learning Center. She plays a key role in a number of organizations and task forces, including the Hawthorne Youth and Community Center, the City of Boston Scholarship Committee, and the Safe Havens Program.

Claudio Martinez has served as the Executive Director of the Hyde Square Task Force for the past nine years, during which time he developed several programs and grew the award winning non-profit organization from a $100,000 to a $2 million operation. Mr. Martinez, a Jamaica Plain resident, sits on several boards including the United Way Affiliate Agency Advisory Council, the Children's Hospital Community Advisory Board, and the Latino After School Steering Committee. He has been recognized many times for his leadership in the community.

The Boston School Committee is a seven-member board, which governs and sets policy for the 144 Boston Public Schools. Any Boston resident is eligible to apply for a position. A 13-member citizens nominating panel accepted nominations this fall before recommending candidates to Mayor Menino in early December. Mayor Menino interviewed the finalists before making his selection.