When teacher contract negotiations caused a stir two years ago, Rochester School Committee candidate Jennifer Kulak didn’t want to hear about the news second hand. Instead, she went straight to the source.

“Not many people go to School Committee meetings, but there are a lot who complain,” she said. “I’m not going to complain if I don’t know what’s going on.”

The mother of three began attending meetings two years ago to follow debates on those contracts. During that time she got an education on budgets, curriculum and everything else committee members are responsible for.

Kulak said she wanted to take an active role after that, saying, “I decided to get more involved instead of just watching.”

Two of her children attend Rochester Memorial School and a third child is a seventh grade student in the junior high school.

With three children in the district Kulak said she’s “personally invested” in seeing all Rochester students succeed.

Specifically, Kulak wants the elementary curriculum better aligned with the junior high to ensure a smooth transition for students. If elected, she said the committee should focus on creating policy that allows students at every academic level to improve.

“We have a lot of services for kids who are underperforming. I think there are a core group of kids who are doing alright, but are still flying under the radar,” she said. “We need to make sure we are teaching those kids and help them excel.”

The school’s reputation was a deciding factor that led the New York Life insurance agent and her family to move to town. Since coming to Rochester she has served the town trustee on the library board.

As a School Committee member Kulak said she would use the position to seek accountability.

“I’m passionate about education and I’m not afraid to ask the tough questions,” she said.