LYNN — Before the official business started Thursday night, the Lynn School Committee celebrated one of its longest-serving members, John Ford, who is stepping down after 20 years.
Ford is not running for reelection. The School Committee honored his two decades of service to the public school system with a ceremony that was attended by his friends and family, state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and state Rep. Peter Capano (D-Lynn); Crighton presented Ford with a citation from the state legislature.
“I’ve had this for so long that it’s almost completely faded,” Ford joked about the School Committee badge he wears around his neck at meetings. “I thought, ‘if that’s gone, maybe it’s time for me, too.’”
The celebration started with one of the high school’s bands performing a string-quintet rendition of Danny Boy, which earned a standing ovation from the School Committee and other attendees who came out to honor Ford.
“There’s a reason the agenda says just two words,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “That’s the impact John Ford has had.”
Mayor Thomas M. McGee presented Ford with a citation from the city, joking that Ford probably wouldn’t be impressed, since he has seen so many citations given out over the years. In his remarks, McGee reiterated Tutwiler’s statement about how important Ford has been to the board.
“You’ll be missed here, but your legacy will continue,” said McGee, who chairs the School Committee and has also decided not to run for reelection.
Ford served 10 terms as a member of the School Committee. Over his career, he showed support for the Lynn Teachers Union, and has often earned their endorsement in past campaign runs. He also had a tremendous passion for Lynn Public Schools and youth athletics.
While presenting the citation from the state legislature, Crighton said that he was biased towards Ford because they were second cousins while emphasizing that Ford has done amazing things for Lynn’s public schools.
Capano spoke to Ford’s record, talking about how so many of the changes made to Lynn’s school system have been in some part thanks to the things Ford has done. Capano spoke most passionately about a basketball program Ford implemented to help stop gang violence.
“Kids were killing kids,” Capano said. “But you stepped up and did something to change that.”
After the fanfare subsided, Ford took the time to address the room, making a joke about how his wife, Sheila, asked him if he would be a grouch once he didn’t have work to do for the committee all the time.
“I’m already a grouch so it’s not going to change much,” Ford joked.
While he may officially be off the board, he said he won’t stop advocating for the schools in the city.
“I’m not going far,” Ford said.
Katelyn Sahagian can be reached at [email protected].
