To the editor:
I encourage my fellow residents to watch the recent 1/14 school committee meeting in which Superintendent Geary provided an update on his mid-year goals. The presentation was both comprehensive and encouraging, offering a clear picture of the progress made in less than a year. It’s a testament to the hard work of Superintendent Geary, the school committee, and the dedicated staff of our district.
The update focused on several key initiatives directly aimed at improving the educational experience for our students. There is a strong emphasis on putting teaching and learning back at the center of our schools. This includes a thoughtful and thorough approach to curriculum, as well as fostering a school culture centered around high expectations and a commitment to excellence. Perhaps most importantly, there is an intense focus on hiring the right leaders—individuals who live and breathe this ethos of academic rigor and school-wide excellence every day. The early results from several key hires made by Superintendent Geary indicate a strong alignment with these goals.
As I reflect on this progress, I can’t help but think back to just over a year ago when the middle school auditorium was packed with concerned parents and teachers, all of whom were grappling with a toxic school environment. The atmosphere was tense, and it felt as though our schools were losing their way. The contrast to today is striking— and the turnaround we’ve seen so far is a direct result of the concerted effort from Superintendent Geary, the teachers and staff, and, crucially, the School Committee.
After the April elections, the new School Committee got right to work. They immediately engaged with teachers and staff, listening to their needs and concerns to better support them in their mission to educate our children. This dialogue led to several important policy changes, including the establishment of class size caps for our youngest learners—something with universal support that had previously been neglected. Additionally, a dress code was put in place, returning a sense of order and professionalism to our schools. Perhaps most notably, the introduction of a first-of-its-kind cell phone policy has already produced strong results, removing digital distractions from classrooms and keeping the focus on learning.
Taken together, the actions of our administrative leaders and school committee members have not only turned around the culture of our schools – they are also laying the strong foundation needed for Lynnfield Schools to achieve the academic excellence our town expects.
As we approach another election season, it’s important to remember that the job of the school committee is to oversee our schools. While you will likely hear many opinions in the coming weeks, residents should rightly question the intentions of anyone who seems more focused on politics, rather than school business. By staying focused on what really matters – the education of our children – we can all contribute to the bright future of Lynnfield Schools.
Stephen Sheehan
Lynnfield
