To the editor:
What a year it has been. I could reflect on the things that I wish had gone differently over the past year but instead I would like to focus on how excited I am for what the future may bring to this town.
We are extremely lucky to live in a community where there is not one, but three respected and well-liked candidates running for School Committee. Each will bring a distinct level of experience and value to the role.
However, when I look at Brian Charville and Kate DePrizio, I see an almost cosmic blend of capability and grace that could do wonders for our school system. They have chutzpah, and that’s what we need right now.
With Brian we get a level of decorum and analytical doggedness that is essential to the role. As an accomplished attorney, Brian understands that a debate does not have to be an argument. He is not afraid to ask the tough questions, respectfully, to get to the bottom of things.
Brian has a passion for this town, dedicating his time to both helping it run and nurturing those who are in it. His leadership on the Planning Board reflects Brian’s expertise in evaluating all sides of an issue and finding a way to work with others to create a better solution.
While Brian’s approach may be studious and measured, it is born out of a true love for students and education. You can find him smiling and laughing while encouraging the kids he coaches in flag football and you can tell his prior experience as a classroom teacher is close to his heart.
With Brian you can trust that every question that could be asked will be asked, every solution will be considered, and every discussion will maintain maturity. These are not just nice to have attributes, these are necessary qualities to be a great a School Committee member.
As for Kate, don’t let that Midwest, mile-wide smile fool you: Kate is one of the most tenacious, prepared, and ingenious people I’ve come across, both personally and professionally. In my work with her on the Tower Day’s Parents Forum, I have seen her run meetings with precision, consider and find solutions for all concerns, regardless of the degree of sensitivity or competing factions, and contribute in a large part to what makes that preschool such a treasure of our town.
Kate has successfully worked to propose safety plans and procedures with Emergency Management to keep some of our schools’ most loved events running despite the challenges of this past year.
She worked closely and collaboratively with the school superintendents (past and current); the School Committee, and teachers to ensure the Together We Grow effort reflected the many aspects and voices it needed to.
She has brought to life multiple children’s programs and experiences that have generated inspiration and confidence. Perhaps those programs are not the official curriculum, but as a parent of kids who have experienced them, I can tell you they learned a great deal from them.
She does all of this with grace and compassion. A chief executive officer of a large company I once worked for used to talk a lot about how kindness and respect were not just the nice way to do things, but it was also the best way to get things done. Kate reminds me a lot of that CEO.
Perhaps more than anything, I am truly excited to see the ideas Brian and Kate have come to life. They have the tenacity and thoughtfulness to ensure that the expansion project is completed as expeditiously as possible. They see first-hand the unprecedented level of social emotional needs elementary school students are going through and know it is a priority.
They believe foreign language should be infused in all grade levels and will work to bolster advanced placement courses. These steps are crucial if we want Lynnfield students to be open and able to compete in the world beyond this town.
They see great opportunity in open spaces for learning and enrichment, are passionate about celebrating our moving-on eighth graders and graduating seniors and believe in the lifelong benefits a true student-teacher mentorship program can bring.
They would welcome the participation of our wonderful principals in School Committee meetings; work with the committee to find ways to make the meetings both more accessible and transparent, and overhaul the Lynnfield Public School website, which is currently far behind the times.
Together, Brian and Kate offer a level of experience, resolve and etiquette that is as inspiring as it is unique. I know they will consider all who learn, work, or engage with the schools in any way in their efforts and I am confident that they will go above and beyond to serve this town.
I know this to be true because they have already done it time and time again. Lynnfield would be lucky to have them on the School Committee. They are the epitome of Pioneer Pride spirit, and I am honored to give them my vote.
Courtney Nunley
Lynnfield
