To the editor:
I believe that if you ask any citizen of Lynnfield if there should be at least one member of the School Committee with experience as an educator, they would say “yes”.
The Lynnfield School Committee needs to have a board member with educator experience to successfully advocate and do what is in the best interest of its students when considering these particular roles and responsibilities for school committees as described by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. School Committee members:
● Establish the performance standards for teachers and other employees of the district.
● Evaluate the performance of the superintendent.
● Review and approve an annual school improvement plan for each school in the district.
● Approve major adoption or revision of curriculum and textbooks upon recommendation of the superintendent.
We need a School Committee member who has the experience and in-depth knowledge of each of these duties. Jim is the only candidate with an educator background having been a principal and science teacher at a middle school for 25 years. He previously served on the Lynnfield School Committee for 15 years and was recently appointed by the School Committee and Select Board as an interim School Committee member in January 2024.
Especially now, here’s why experience matters. This is a critical time for our schools to refocus on the principles that drive academic performance and shape a school district’s reputation for excellence. Jim has a unique understanding and insight of the challenges that our school district is facing right now.
Please consider the undeniable importance of having an experienced educator on the Lynnfield School Committee and vote for Jim Dillon on Tuesday, April 9.
Stephanie Budd
