To the editor:
I am writing to express my unwavering support for Kimberly Baker Donahue as a candidate for the Lynnfield School Committee. I am deeply committed to quality public education for every child, having personally benefited from it. I began my schooling in Lynn Public Schools and attended high school in Hamilton-Wenham. As a senior, I served as a student member of the Hamilton-Wenham School Committee, where I was impressed by members who prioritized the needs of students and teachers.
What I have witnessed this past year has been distressing, as personal conflicts have overshadowed discussions about the needs of the Lynnfield public school district. As we enter the year ahead, we face difficult choices and an override vote to fund our schools. We cannot rely on hearsay or private backroom discussions. There must be open and transparent sharing of the budgeting process to foster understanding and support for this override.
Having met Baker Donahue, I believe she is the right person for this job. She is passionate about the school system because she has children in the schools. She is also a data-driven decision-maker who will thoughtfully review quantitative and qualitative data to understand the district’s needs. Finally, she is fully committed to transparency. In the past few weeks, she has made every effort to speak with and listen to concerned parents. We need this kind of ethical leadership on the School Committee as we move forward and strive to improve our schools.
Many of us have moved to Lynnfield for the quality of the school system. I believe a vote for Baker Donahue is a vote for a strong and high-quality educational system for every child in Lynnfield. I encourage all Lynnfield residents to join me in voting for Kimberly Baker Donahue for the School Committee on April 8.
Dr. Beth A. Smith, Ed.D.
Lynnfield
