School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg and member Stacy Dahlstedt announced their resignations from the committee on Friday afternoon.
The resignations come in the midst of controversies surrounding both the committee and Superintendent of Schools Kristen Vogel. Earlier this month, the Lynnfield Teachers Association declared no confidence in the school district’s leadership. Vogel has been on indefinite medical leave since Dec. 4.
The committee responded to the LTA’s declaration with a statement promising to address the issues presented and resolve them through a third-party investigation into the district’s operations.
Less than two weeks later, Sjoberg and Dahlstedt submitted their letters of resignation.
Sjoberg’s letter was only two sentences long.
“It is with regret that I inform you I am resigning my position on the Lynnfield School Committee, effective today, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023,” Sjoberg wrote. “I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause; as I will always be grateful for every experience the Lynnfield Public Schools has given our family.”
While Sjoberg’s letter did not include a specific reason for his decision, Dahlstedt went into more depth about her decision to resign.
“The current toxic political environment in Lynnfield, and the apparent unwillingness of some to recognize that we are all one community working towards a common goal, has become unsustainable for me,” Dahlstedt wrote. “I am no longer able or willing to conceal my emotions and invest my energy in helping the School Committee continue to make sound and fair decisions. Doing so would require that I sacrifice my own well-being and that of my family in the face of angry and bullying groups determined to destroy the personal character and reputation of anyone who dares to not do as they demand. I hope that Lynnfield will move forward and commit to more civil dialogue without the indignation and distractions that have occurred recently. Lynnfield students and our community deserve better.”
At recent School Committee meetings, parents have heavily criticized the committee, citing a lack of responsiveness and disrespectful communication.
Lynnfield resident Jim Crawford, whose daughter is a student in the district, wrote a letter earlier this month calling on all of the committee’s members except for Kate DePrizio to resign.
“I’m glad they stepped down, I think it’s the right thing to do,” Crawford said. “I still think it’s very important that Jamie Hayman steps down. He’s been wrong on just about every topic the entirety of the way.”
