To the editor:
I respectfully urge the School Committee to take action on a matter that reflects both sound governance and the will of this community: conducting a Superintendent search.
This is not a personal statement. It’s a request rooted in due process, public trust, and in the School Committee’s own policy manual, Section A: Foundations and Basic Commitments, Subsection AB: The People and Their School District, which clearly states:
“The School Committee has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and local citizens’ expectations for the education of the community’s youth. It also has an obligation to determine and assess citizens’ desires.”
As you may know, the current Superintendent’s contract includes a key provision: if the School Committee does not act by October 1, 2025, the contract automatically extends for three years, through 2028. That means the window for a thoughtful, transparent process is open now, but it is not open indefinitely.
A public Superintendent search would allow for careful planning, community and educator input, and candidate outreach. It’s also an opportunity to validate and reaffirm our current leadership – if the outcome points in that direction – or consider alternatives if the community or Committee feels it’s needed. Either way, it’s a process that strengthens, not weakens, public trust.
This request is also shaped by concerns many in the community have raised over the past eight months: from the handling of school safety incidents, to the absence of a multi-year operating and capital plan within budgeted funds, to troubling moments of public behavior, such as actions that appeared to undermine or target elected officials. And just two months ago, Select Board Chair Dick Dalton stated publicly that the Select Board would be inserting itself into school budgeting oversight, requiring the Superintendent to work directly with the town’s finance director to produce monthly financial reports comparing budgeted versus actual spending for the upcoming fiscal year.
This kind of intervention highlights the need for stronger leadership, clearer communication, and mutual trust between district and town officials.
These examples are not just breaches of trust, they risk exposing the town to financial liability or legal action. They are not personal critiques; they are reminders of why transparency, accountability, and professional leadership matter – especially when trust is fragile.
Importantly, this is not a repeat of 2024, when the School Committee chose to appoint without a search, despite significant public input requesting one. We can choose a better path this time, one that aligns with our district’s values and our town’s expectations for openness and good governance.
The recent School Committee election sent a clear message: Lynnfield voters are ready for change, especially in leadership and accountability. In just two weeks, more than 130 residents have signed an online petition calling for a Superintendent search. That number matters. To conduct business at Town Meeting, we need a quorum of just 175 residents, a number we often struggle to meet. In that context, 130 resident signatures aren’t just meaningful—it’s a sign the community is paying attention, demanding action, and counting on the School Committee officials they elected to listen and lead. According to the Committee’s own policy, they have an obligation to “determine and assess citizens’ desires.” A Superintendent search is how they fulfill that responsibility.
This is not about one person. This is about process. This is about earning the trust of parents, taxpayers, teachers, and students by showing that Lynnfield is serious about leadership, about planning, and about giving this community the voice it deserves in one of the most important decisions we’ll make for years to come.
I respectfully ask that the School Committee add the Superintendent search as a formal agenda item, not just as part of a general reference to “next steps.” With the Superintendent’s annual performance review scheduled to conclude on June 3, followed by a contract discussion on June 10, time is short. That meeting could result in a contract extension without ever considering a public search. That decision could bypass the community’s clearly expressed desire for transparency, accountability, and a thoughtful hiring process.
If you care about the future of Lynnfield’s schools, now is the time to speak up. Waiting could mean missing the only real opportunity for public input.
I urge the School Committee to be clear and answer the questions many residents are asking: Does “next steps” refer to launching a Superintendent search process? Or is the discussion limited to contract renewal? The public deserves clarity and a seat at the table in shaping this decision.
Thank you,
Brian Moreira
Lynnfield Resident
