In her two terms on the School Committee, Rhonda Veugen said she has seen a lot of which she can be proud.

From the incoming International Baccalaureate program at the high school to the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) program at the middle school to dual enrollment between the high school and middle school, Veugen believes the School Committee has accomplished a lot.

“We are just completing the next five years’ strategic plan that [we will present] in a couple School Committee meetings,” Veugen said. “The main focus and vision of that plan is that we will have a creative, challenging, innovative, and engaging advantages for our students. That is the main focus of the next three years, if I get re-elected.”

The district’s five-year plans are meant to better the district, and prevent more children from leaving under the school choice program. Veugen, who was elected to the School Committee for the first time six years ago, was also part of the committee that put together the district’s first five-year strategic plan. She believes her involvement in creating the plan, as well as her two terms on the committee, puts her in the unique position of being able to understand the dynamics between town government and the school system.

“I have the ability to work very well with the Board of Selectmen, the Financial Committee, and the Town Administrator,” Veugen said. “I am open to all good ideas, and I love healthy, respectful debate.”

Veugen said the six years under her belt have been spent learning and garnering knowledge about the sometimes-confusing details of the position – not the least of which is learning what all the acronyms dropped during meetings mean.

“The first year you are elected to public office there is a huge learning curve,” Veugen said. “I don’t care what background you have. The way towns and schools work are different, and no one knows that until they get in there.”

Veugen is the full-time development director for YMCA Southcoast, a position she also said puts her in a better position to understand how to use community offerings to help students. For instance, Veugen said, the YMCA offers afterschool care programs, which are “doing more and more to close the achievement gap.”

“If there is a student struggling academically, they go to an afterschool program and work on a piece of curriculum … until their parents pick them up,” Veugen said. “Being able to reach out and partner with other likeminded organizations … who work with children in Wareham … that is gold.”

She also said her position as development director allows her to give the School Committee fundraising guidance and support, which she views as part of “looking for creative solutions to academic excellence.”

But perhaps thing Veugen feels is her biggest qualifier is the fact she has a nine-year-old son in the school system.

“My child is directly affected by the successes or failures of this district,” Veugen said. “It affects my child, and his friends, and … even kids he doesn’t know.”

And the success of the district isn’t limited to just the students, Veugen said. At the end of the day, Veugen said, a successful district means an increase in property values, as well as a lower crime rate.

“A good school system is it for me,” Veugen said.

Town elections are on April 5.