To the editor:
Less than a week after Lynnfield voters approved the $4.65 million override to stabilize the budgets of the Lynnfield Public Schools and Town government, the School Committee quietly voted to extend Superintendent Geary’s contract through the 2028-29 academic year (four full academic years from now), despite hundreds of residents asking to be included in the process and the fact that no action was needed the current contract until October 1, 2025.
The School Committee’s behind-closed-doors vote sent a clear message: that a majority of the School Committee knows best, and the public’s voice doesn’t matter. It marked a troubling departure from the transparency and civic engagement that Chair Kristen Elworthy had promised during her 2024 campaign to join the Committee in the first place. This April, voters overwhelmingly supported the election of Kim Baker Donahue, who ran on a platform of accountability and public inclusion. In contrast, the two candidates who ran as a ticket (including Ms. Elworthy) trailed significantly, losing to Ms. Baker-Donahue by a landslide. Since then, residents have continued to speak out through public comments, letters, and petitions. Lynnfield deserves leaders who listen, not ones who dismiss the community they were elected to serve.
Here are the facts and concerns every Lynnfield resident should know:
Premature Action:
- The Superintendent’s contract didn’t require action until October 1, 2025. Yet the Committee rushed a vote just days after the override passed. In fact, the contract didn’t require any action at all because the terms already were set through the 2027-2028 school year.
Silencing the Public:
- Despite widespread calls for inclusion in the superintendent “next steps” process, the committee majority (Elworthy, Dillon, DePrizio) moved forward without public involvement and took it upon themselves to extend the contract an additional year.
Unanswered Questions:
- Despite repeated requests, School Committee Chair Elworthy never answered two questions: 1) How will the public be included in the decision-making process regarding next steps on the Superintendent’s contract, and 2) What information will guide each Committee member’s decision?
Superintendent Summative Evaluation Inflated by Elworthy, Dillon and DePrizio:
- A review of individual committee members’ evaluations of the Superintendent’s 2024-25 job performance shows that Step 1 goal ratings were overstated by School Committee Chair Elworthy and Mr. Jim Dillon, who jointly authored the final summary. This review has been provided to the School Committee.
- Dillon and DePrizio rated the superintendent “Exemplary” in multiple categories, while three other members rated the same standards as “Needs Improvement.”
- “Exemplary” indicates performance that significantly exceeds proficiency and can serve as a model regionally or statewide, according to DESE. Given this was the Superintendent’s first year and limited evidence was provided, such ratings appear inconsistent with the spirit of the rubric and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the process.
Predetermined Outcome:
- In response to a constituent email encouraging an open process, Mr. Dillon wrote: “Kristen Elworthy has laid out a process the Committee will follow.”
- Yet two members, Mr. Jamie Hayman and Ms. Kim Baker Donahue, publicly stated on June 11 that they were not ready to vote on a contract, and advocated for public input.
- Despite that, the committee reconvened with legal counsel and finalized the contract extension within days, strongly suggesting the outcome had been predetermined. Public feedback never had a chance.
Override Misunderstanding:
- The override passed because voters were told it was essential to maintain current services, which is true, but residents deserve to know: the override primarily funds existing school salaries and the new Superintendent contract. It does not restore any of the teaching and learning positions that have been cut by the School Committee over the last three years, nor does it provide funding for new positions requested by school principals back in December 2024. Based on current projections by the town accountant, it is highly likely Lynnfield will require another override within the next two years.
Broken Promises:
- In 2024, Kristen Elworthy said she would “bring residents inside the decision-making process” and “make sure everyone feels they have a voice.” That didn’t happen.
Regardless of where you stand on the Superintendent’s contract extension, one truth is clear: the public was shut out. When elected officials ignore their own commitments, silence community voices, and rush decisions behind closed doors, it should concern us all. Even if you agree with the outcome today, what happens when you don’t on a future issue? Public trust depends on transparency, accountability, and inclusion, not prewritten talking points and spin.
At the next election, and as Lynnfield Public Schools face future challenges, remember this moment. Choose leaders who listen, lead with integrity and consistency, and include the public in decisions that shape our schools. In the meantime, remain engaged by watching or attending School Committee meetings, ask questions including requests for public documentation. Lynnfield deserves better. And we deserve to be heard.
Brian Moreira
