Brookline School Committee Candidate: Aylit Schultz

Strong schools are built through clear priorities and decisions grounded in best practices and thoughtful oversight. As a physician, educator, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and parent, my approach has been shaped by working in complex systems where outcomes matter and resources must be used responsibly.

As a physician at the Veterans Home in Chelsea and the VA hospital, I rely on data, best practices, and proven approaches every day to diagnose problems, make difficult decisions, and improve outcomes. I also teach medical students and residents that rigor, accountability, and continuous improvement are essential when the stakes are high. Our classrooms deserve that same level of care and discipline. 

In parallel, I have spent years leading nonprofit organizations through periods of change. I have managed significant budgets, balanced competing priorities, and worked with boards to make strategic, values-driven decisions, often under financial constraint. Those experiences taught me that fiscal responsibility, clarity, and trust are not abstract concepts; they are the foundation of effective governance.

Brookline’s schools are at an important inflection point. We are facing real financial pressures, welcoming new district administration, and navigating complex community expectations about academic rigor, equity, and long-term sustainability. I have led organizations through periods of transition like this before. Times of administrative changeover, limited resources, and high expectations require steady hands and clear thinking. I know how to ask hard questions and analyze budgets and trade-offs. I also know how to support effective leadership and keep organizations focused on their core mission. When leaders listen carefully, build consensus, and ground decisions in data, periods of transition can become opportunities to strengthen institutions and improve outcomes.

I am also a former Pierce and Brookline High School parent, so like many families, my connection to the town's schools has deeply personal roots. I know how much classrooms, performances, sports, and everyday moments can shape children’s lives. Schools are more than places of learning; they are one of the key anchors in a community. When teaching and learning remain at the center of our schools, families with different experiences and priorities can come together around a shared purpose. Investing in academic excellence not only strengthens student outcomes; it strengthens the community itself.