Patty Nolan studies an issue during a School Committee. She is seeking reelection Tuesday. (Photo: Liv Rachelle Gold)

The Committee to Elect Patty Nolan has had volunteers door-knocking, hosting events and gathering endorsements in an effort to ensure a smooth reelection to the School Committee. “I am hopeful, but honestly, having won by just 19 votes last time it’s still an uphill battle due to some great challengers. I want a recount-proof margin this time,” Nolan said. “I am an issues-based candidate, which is tough even as an incumbent. Most voters vote for people they know from growing up here, and that means they don’t consider me.”

At a reception hosted by Liz Adams aimed at private school parents who want to support and know more about the city’s public schools, state rep Jonathan Hecht spoke of Nolan’s ability to help him learn about how state issues affect local school districts. Adams spoke of Nolan’s willingness to build bridges and work hard. At an event in North Cambridge at Cornerstone Cohousing, Nolan spoke about the need for learning from other districts and high-performing schools to improve Cambridge schools. At a recent event hosted by Art and Betty Bardige, Nolan spoke passionately about one of her signature initiatives — raising the level of math instruction in all schools.

Individual endorsements continue to come in, showing an impressive diversity of support. Longtime Cantabrigians Lynn Hassett and James and Nancy Daley are joined by newcomers such as Andrew King and Mary Wissemann. Several members of her Ward 9 Democratic Committee, including Kathy Reine and Helen Glikman, are on the list, and the Ward 6 Democratic Committee endorsed Patty for the fourth election in a row. Former School Committee candidate Alan Steinert and state Senate candidate Tim Flaherty are on the list of endorsers, as well as Harvard sociologist Christopher Jencks. For a list of endorsers click here.

The campaign is especially pleased by the endorsement by the Cambridge Chronicle. In 2005, in their first endorsement, the Chronicle hoped that Patty would continue “pointing out inconsistencies in the budget numbers and advocating on behalf of parents” and if elected “would continue to be a thoughtful presence at meetings — this time with a vote.” This year the Chronicle endorsed her as someone “who will help guide Cambridge Schools in the right direction and help move forward with the Innovation Agenda.”

“It’s telling that the Chronicle was on target about Patty in her first race. She’s done what she promised and lived up to the hopes of parents across the city,” said volunteer campaign manager Trish Marti. “She has been able to move the district forward on a number of issues, doing the hard work to make change, from raising expectations in math to identifying lapses in information, to better governance. Most importantly, she walks the walk of focusing on higher expectations for all students.” Treasurer (and husband) David Rabkin noted that “Patty’s got momentum, even though she has run a low budget campaign and taken the ‘No robo-calls’ pledge. ”