PEABODY — The School Committee was rather sentimental Tuesday night as it said goodbye to members Jon Swanson and Jarrod Hochman.
After one, four-year term, Swanson was not reelected to the Committee. Hochman, after 16 years on the Committee, was elected as a Councilor-at-Large and will join City Council in the new year.
Committee member Beverley Griffin Dunne thanked Swanson for putting his “heart and soul” into Committee work, “like you do with everything.” She emphasized that his role in civic engagement is not over, though, as he will remain on the school building committee as well as the Peabody PROMISE task force.
“We’ll keep you involved,” Dunne said. “There’s no way we can take you out of this picture right now. We need you.”
Hochman, like many, endearingly called Swanson “Swanny” before thinking back to “the only time that we did argue,” which was on the Little League field over differing opinions on when to change the pitcher.
“Other than that, Swanny, you’re an incredible human being. You’ve become a good friend of mine. You have talents that aren’t realized by most people in this city: your dedication, your devotion, your care for giving kids opportunities,” Hochman said. “… The City of Peabody is better because of Jon Swanson.”
Committee member John Olimpio commended Swanson’s “even keel approach to things” as well as his active listening skills. Olimpio said, “I just think you’re a tremendous professional, tremendous man; you really served this city well, and I know you’ll be doing that in the future, and I will sorely miss you.”
Swanson candidly said, “This is not easy. I am an emotional mess… I am truly honored to be sitting in this seat. I enjoyed what I did, what I’ve done for the students and the staff, and I only hope that, as I leave this seat, that I did make a difference, that I did leave this board better than I (found) it.”
Committee member Joe Amico said Hochman’s switch to City Council is “a huge loss for us here.” He then thought back to his first run-in with Hochman many moons ago when both their kids were at Center Elementary School. Amico had gotten his dates mixed up and thought his kids were at an after-school program when they were actually waiting to be picked up.
“Of course, Jared picked up my kids and brought them to my house… and that’s just one little thing,” Amico said, adding that Hochman is the type of guy who is “always there for someone else.”
Committee member Brandi Carpenter, who was referred to as Hochman’s former “sparring partner,” said, “I’m actually looking forward to you representing us so proudly on the City Council… I’m actually very happy for you to move onto that position, and I know you’ll help us over there, so congratulations.”
Olimpio called Hochman “gracious” and said, “What I’ve always marveled about you… is that you’re passionate about your positions, but you always treated everybody on this floor with respect. You would go back and forth with people… and then the next topic would come up, and you’d compliment the very same person that you were battling with, so to speak, so that’s always stuck out with me.”
He added that he believes Hochman will continue to “represent the City well.”
Hochman thanked each Committee member for the lessons they taught him, and he also thanked his family “because without them and their support, and a whole bunch of other people, this wouldn’t mean as much as it does.”
“I’m grateful to the people in this great city who’ve given me the opportunity to serve four terms here at the School Committee,” Hochman said. “It’s a part-time position that’s clearly changed my life.”
Although not a member of the Committee, Superintendent Josh Vadala also took a moment to praise Swanson and Hochman. Vadala first addressed Swanson, emphasizing his “humility” and calling him “a man of integrity.”
“I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, and I think that your journey is just beginning,” Vadala said. “You give so much to this Committee and to this community that we’re very fortunate to have you — and I know your work on Peabody PROMISE is only going to get stronger, and you’ll continue to contribute, and I know that we’re going to see you in the future in whatever capacity that you want and your family wants.”
When addressing Hochman, Vadala said, “I’ve been so impressed with you, and I just want to begin by saying I’m so happy for you. I know that this was something that you really wanted.”
He also thought back on his personal relationship with Hochman, who actually gave Vadala a courtesy call before throwing his hat in the ring for Councilor-at-Large.
“That human side of things that people don’t see is what serves you well as a father, as a human, and as a member of this community — and I have a lot of respect for you,” Vadala said.
Suzanne Cox and Pamela Milman will join the Committee next month.
