To the editor:
On April 9, we have a very important election coming up that will help reshape the School Committee for the next year. We are writing today to express our unwavering support for Kate DePrizio to be reelected to a three-year term. As a LHS graduate and as parents of three kids who attended Lynnfield public schools, we are invested in what is best for our community.
When we first met Kate, her oldest daughter was just starting at Tower Day School. Kate became immediately involved in activities at the school, first as a room parent, then running events and eventually moving on to be the Parents’ Forum vice president and then president. As our daughters moved into kindergarten, Kate jumped right into multiple community roles, such as Girl Scout leader, co-directing the Huckleberry Hill Variety show and HHS PTO vice president.
As a Girl Scout leader to our daughter Sadie, she always went above and beyond to encourage our girls to work together to improve the community. Twice a year, they organized a cleanup/planting to beautify HHS/SSS/LMS, helping the girls fostering a sense of ownership and pride in caring for their community. She was also instrumental in organizing a Veteran’s Day fundraiser where Girl Scout troops purchased, packaged and hand delivered $25 gift cards for Veteran’s Day to all 435 registered veterans in town.
Kate’s role as co-director of the HHS Variety Show involved a huge amount of hard work and hours that go into putting on a show for 130-150 kids. Throughout the process, Kate’s priority was always about making sure the kids had fun, felt included, and were celebrated for their uniqueness, often taking time to individually talk and engage with nervous performers.
Kate has also taken a board position and active role in Lynnfield Youth Softball, last year she played a part in bringing back the parade and this year working with Lynnfield Little League to help organize joint parade for the whole Lynnfield community. Kate’s willingness to engage with all members of our community is one of her great strengths. We have personally seen her willingness to talk to people whether she’s picking up her kids from the HHS back path or at Glen Meadow with her family.
As a member of the School Committee, Kate has been consistently willing to listen, empathize, and reflect on the conversations, even if she didn’t necessarily agree. When we or others we know have had questions about our own child’s IEP and needed someone to talk to about additional questions/services, Kate always listened and helped us understand how to best advocate for what we felt our family needed.
Finally, Kate has always supported our students and teachers, advocating for transparency, communication, and our community needs. In her short time as chair, Kate has brought some very positive changes including adding new legal counsel, resolving the former superintendent’s contract, securing the interim superintendent to allow for a robust superintendent search, addressing DLP classroom issues, a full tech audit and all student needs while managing a responsible budget. Her approach to the School Committee meetings is based on leading them in an open, transparent manner, prioritizing public comment, and encouraging the committee to respond.
On April 9, please join us in supporting Kate DePrizio for reelection to the Lynnfield School Committee.
Kathleen and Mark Mathers
