Connie Barr Ends Campaign from School Committee

March 24, 2025
• At the end of her sixth term on the committee, Barr announced Sunday she would no longer seek reelection.

After 18 years on the Needham School Committee, Connie Barr is stepping away.

In a message posted to her campaign website Sunday, Barr wrote the decision “is a very recent and difficult” one, citing that a new “candidate has emerged who is well positioned to bring a fresh voice and new perspectives to the table,” referring to newcomer Sri Baqri.

Barr also endorsed incumbents Andrea Longo Carter and Alisa Skatrud.

“My participation on the School Committee for the last 18 years has been rooted in what best serves the students and staff on the Needham Public Schools,” Barr wrote. “This has meant adapting with the times and needs and available resources. It has meant operating without a personal agenda, while bringing curiosity and thoughtfulness and heart to our work, and always advocating for the welfare and benefit of students.”

As a Town Meeting member, Barr wrote that she’ll continue to remain involved in town. She also works as a primary care physician.

Baqri expressed her appreciation for Barr and her support in an email.

“As a parent and Needham citizen, I’m very grateful to Connie Barr for her service, leadership, passion and advocacy for our children and public schools over the years,” Baqri wrote. “I’m thankful for her endorsement and the trust she has shown in my vision, commitment and ability to bring a fresh perspective to this important role.”

Barr, along with colleague Michael Greis, won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees in the fall. In the nomination, School Committee member Andrea Longo Carter wrote of Barr’s dedication to Needham schools.

“Connie seems to be everywhere at once, always willing to attend meetings and events whenever School Committee representation is required, usually after spending a full day seeing patients and before heading off to a different meeting for another organization she volunteers with,” the nomination read. “If ever you need someone to show up for something, Connie will be there with a smile.”

Barr also received the Patrick and Patricia Forde Good Person Memorial Award, which recognizes outstanding community members who primarily work with youth and families, in 2008.

Carter and Barr worked together as chair and vice chair, as well as on negotiations, Carter wrote in a statement. Barr has proven, across her long tenure, to be “an exceptional School Committee colleague” whose “energy, enthusiasm and commitment to our work” will be missed, Carter wrote.

Following the announcement, Barr received an outpouring of support on the Needham Facebook page.

Barr brought institutional knowledge, perspective and humor to the job, Skatrud wrote in an emailed comment. She signaled her gratitude for the endorsement and the need to continue ensuring a high-quality education for Needham families.

“Connie Barr has been a tireless advocate for Needham’s children and schools during her 18 years on the school committee,” Skatrud wrote. “As a School Committee colleague, she has been generous with her time, and supportive of my growth as a committee member.”

Barr considers Carter and Skatrud “seasoned and highly effective members” and highlighted Baqri’s experience and aptitude for the job.

“I am so grateful for your friendship and support over the years,” she wrote in closing. “I look forward to continuing to serve Needham as a Town Meeting member, and in a variety of ways in the future.”

This is a breaking news story that Needham Local will update as it develops.