To the Editor:
As Lynnfield faces unprecedented disruption to our public education system due to COVID, we need innovative, creative, thoughtful leaders who ask the hard questions. With that, I write to wholeheartedly endorse both Brian Charville and Kate DePrizio for Lynnfield School Committee.
While COVID is the most pressing educational issue we face, it’s not the only one. Our school system has been consistently behind the eight ball on much needed changes. The recent school building project vote is a perfect example of this issue. The project was years behind where it needed to be (in fact, we are already overcrowded, even without COVID).
When it came time to inform the public and advocate for the project, the School Committee members played a disappointingly small role. Who did lead the charge? Kate DePrizio. Her enthusiasm, dedication and teamwork turned out hundreds in support of the building project with little support from the School Committee itself. As a parent, I was disappointed not to see more action from our School Committee.
This is just one example of Kate’s leadership and willingness to serve. I’ve worked with Kate in a number of roles, including leading the parents’ association at Tower Day School. She’s an excellent listener – never one to back down from her beliefs, but always one to determine the best compromise. She’s tireless and she’s truly invested in Lynnfield and the future of her young family in this town.
Likewise, my experience with Brian has indicated his dedication not just to the community, but to ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard. He brings tremendous credibility to any discussion with well-researched, measured points of view. I’ve sat on a committee when Brian presented a proposal from the Planning Board, where he is currently chair, and have found his ability to take questions and consider feedback admirable and rare in our current climate.
While Kate and Brian have many differing and complementary qualities, there is one thing they hold in common. Both are dedicated to the long-term success of the Lynnfield school system, and are consistently able to look not only at the challenges of today, but at the challenges we will face in the future. They understand that the system works holistically: from preschool to high school, from student to teacher to administrator. One thing cannot work without the other, and Brian and Kate are both fierce advocates for making sure this system does not just work, but that it exceeds our greatest expectations.
I know I am not alone in feeling that the committee elected to represent our children has, over the past year, failed to ask the hard questions required to serve our students in the best way possible. These questions are important during COVID, yes, but they’re also important for every situation that will come up in the future. Asking hard questions is an important function of being an elected official in a small town, and I know that Brian and Kate are prepared to ask those questions, listen to the answers, and work with the stakeholders in town – parents, students, administrators and teachers alike – to best serve our families and to continue Lynnfield’s reputation for educational excellence.
It’s time for change on our School Committee, and electing Kate and Brian is the right first step.
Kristen Elworthy
Lynnfield
