To the editor:
We’ve all either said it or heard our family or friends say it:
- “I moved to Lynnfield for the great school system.”
- “I moved to Lynnfield for a great quality of life for my family.”
Knowing we all chose to live in Lynnfield to enjoy these benefits, we are faced with a choice on April 8 to continue to see these benefits come to life across the school system with two proven leaders or to turn to an untested candidate pursuing a false narrative.
By voting for both Kristen Elworthy and Jenny Sheehan, the Lynnfield school system will continue to be a great learning and teaching environment for students and educators alike. Elworthy and Sheehan have proven to be leaders who demonstrate active listening skills focused on achieving high educational excellence. They focus on meaningful actions and investments that will yield the required outcomes expected by the citizens across the community. They understand that the education experience spans all 13 grade levels and ensure the school committee works with the administrators and teachers in all schools to meet the diverse educational needs of all students.
As the School Committee members on the School Budget subcommittee, Elworthy and Sheehan collaborated with the superintendent and Town Administration officials to develop a school budget that will meet the needs of all students, both short and long term. They are also leading and teaming with others on the School Committee to negotiate a new teacher’s contract. Balancing fiscal responsibility with educational excellence is both an art and a science. Elworthy and Sheehan have applied their strong business acumen skills, which have enabled their professional career success, to do the same for the Lynnfield Schools.
A lot has been written or stated about the need for transparent, honest, and responsible leadership on the Lynnfield School Committee. I do not think we need to bring these characteristics onto the current School Committee. We have these qualities already in the two candidates up for reelection.
Elworthy assumed the chair of the School Committee when drama and dysfunction threatened to compromise the school system we all came to Lynnfield to enjoy. Through her leadership, Elworthy has applied thoughtful, respectful, focused leadership to the work of the committee. Her approach was exactly what the committee needed at the moment of unrest and what is still needed going forward.
Sheehan has routinely applied pragmatic, outcome-based leadership skills to any topic before the committee. Unlike many elected officials, Sheehan does not speak to be heard. She has perfected a leadership and communication style and speaks with impact,
Consciously directing her comments and actions to achieve the mission of the Lynnfield School District.
As you cast your vote on April 8, I encourage you to vote for both Kristen Elworthy and Jenny Sheehan. Re-electing Elworthy and Sheehan will continue to progress the work of the committee, which will yield the results we all came to Lynnfield to enjoy:
- A great school system
- A great quality of life for our families
- Competent, stable community leadership – No drama, just reliable results
Please vote for Kristen Elworthy and Jenny Sheehan. Let them keep doing the job they signed up to do.
Bob McDonald
