Meet katherine (kati) cabral

Hola mi gente,

Chelsea is my home and I am elated to share that I am running to be re-elected as an At-Large School Committee member this November—to continue advocating for policies that ensure every student is known by name, strength, and story. 

I was educated in Chelsea Public Schools (CPS), and I am proud to represent Chelsea for the past four years. As a Black Latina, an educator, and a current Education Policy Masters student at Boston University, I know firsthand the challenges and opportunities that exist within our schools. 

My journey in public service began as a student representative on the School Committee, where I saw how policies directly impacted my classmates and I. This experience inspired me to return to Chelsea after college as a middle school science teacher, supporting students who, like me, deserved teachers who reflected their lived experiences. I quickly realized that our district needed stronger systems to recruit and retain educators of color, ensure multilingual learners and students with IEPs receive individualized support, and expand pathways for post-secondary success.  

As Vice-Chair, I have worked to advance CPS’ strategic plan by advocating for an equitable budget and supporting policies that prioritize inclusive and culturally responsive education. This past year, I have:

• Achieved a Empowered Governance Certificate through School Board Partners (SBP) in partnership with Colorado State University Global

• Hosted several community listening sessions to ensure budget meets community needs

• Successfully passed a resolution in support of a financial literacy requirement for high school graduates

• Co-developed an operating protocol for onboarding new school committee member and improve board efficiency 

• Presented with our Superintendent, Executive Cabinet, fellow committee members, and CPS students about our equity and inclusion practices at the 2023 MA School Committee conference 

• Played a key role in passing the Code of Conduct and increasing student attendance

• Our efforts led to 390 student graduates securing $9.2 million in scholarship dollars in 2024

But there is more work to do. Together, we can strengthen our schools by increasing transparency in the decision-making process, holding ourselves accountable to students and families, and ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive.  

I ask for your support in this election—your voice, your vote, and your partnership in building a stronger Chelsea. Let’s continue this work together.  

Gracias,

Katherine (Kati) Cabral

Chelsea School Committee At-Large