To the editor:
My primary goal in running for the Lynnfield School Committee is to ensure that the Lynnfield Public Schools continue to have a reputation that motivates families to move to our town. We need to ensure that we are a district that strives for academic excellence, continues to inspire and educate ALL learners, from our youngest to our oldest, and positions our students for success in their next endeavor. I am not only a proud and lifelong Lynnfield resident but also a product of the Lynnfield Public Schools. I have two sons in the Lynnfield school system, as well as a niece and nephew who collectively span elementary, middle, and high school. This gives me a unique opportunity with direct insight to accomplish these goals. As a Trust and Estate Lawyer as well as a Trust Officer, who has made a career out of helping people plan and prepare for their and their family’s futures, I will bring these same skills to the Lynnfield School Committee so we can plan and prepare for the future of the Lynnfield Public Schools and all our children.
Honesty and Accountability: I believe in and operate with respectful and focused collaboration, both personally and professionally. The Lynnfield School Committee has a responsibility to the community to work collaboratively and honorably. I am open and responsive to parent, educator, and community feedback and concerns.
Experienced Leader and Innovative Problem Solver: I offer a unique perspective and skill set as a mother, a lifelong resident of Lynnfield, an attorney with more than 20 years of experience practicing estate and trust law, and a leader of several nonprofit organizations across the North Shore. I have experience thinking outside the box when presented with facts and circumstances, including budgetary restrictions, that don’t always allow for the most obvious solutions. I am well-versed in reading and writing policies, have knowledge of meeting procedures, and understand laws and statutes, all of which will add value to the Lynnfield School Committee.
Passionate Advocate: Lynnfield School Committee members need to first and foremost serve as strong advocates of the Lynnfield Public Schools, its educators, staff, and students. As a trained attorney and trust officer, I know how to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with parties who have differing opinions as well as how to serve as a strong negotiator. I will listen, hear, and respond to community concerns with respect and consistent and uncompromising values. I will always put our children first.
Effective Communicator and Process-Driven: I am running for the Lynnfield School Committee because I see the pressing need to improve communication, strategic planning, and fiscal responsibility in our schools. We cannot afford to think about only one year at a time. We need a clear, accountable, and collaborative approach to decision-making.
Recently, an unfounded narrative has been circulated about me, about my character, and about why I’m running for the Lynnfield School Committee. Given my pledge to be honest and transparent, it would be disingenuous of me if I didn’t respond. Let me be absolutely clear: I am not running for the Lynnfield School Committee with a political agenda, to cancel traditions, or push any ideology. My words from a conversation in which I asked that we remember that “not everyone celebrates Christmas” and we need to do what we can to include everyone, not exclude, were twisted and used against me. The misinterpretation of my call for inclusion does not reflect my true commitment to the community. I stand for celebrating all traditions and fostering an environment where every voice is heard. My own diverse background — growing up in a family that celebrated differences, being a proud Jewish woman, and sharing a life with my husband from a Christian background — has taught me that celebrating diversity is not about imposing beliefs but about embracing the strength that comes from our differences.
As a parent, an aunt, and a proud community member, I am passionate about and committed to the Lynnfield Public Schools and our town. I understand the challenges we face. I wholeheartedly believe that the Lynnfield Public Schools can grow stronger through clear communication, better long-term planning, and leadership that values honesty, accountability, and mutual respect.
Most importantly, we must model for our children the very values we hope to instill in them: respect, problem-solving, and the ability to work together despite differences. I reject the divisive narrative that my associations with other members of our community and my background somehow dictate the intent with which I am running for the Lynnfield School Committee, imposing a false agenda. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I am here to serve everyone in our community, ensuring that our policies and practices build consensus and advance the interests of all our students and our community as a whole.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I stand ready to lead with honesty and accountability, and I invite you to join me in creating a future where our community works together for the benefit of every child.
Kimberly Baker Donahue
Lynnfield
