Minuteman School Committee member selected for leadership award

PHOTO CAPTION: Minuteman School Committee member Ford Spalding (right), receives the Massachusetts Association of School Committee’s Division VIII All-State School Committee Award from MASC President Patrick Murphy (left). Division VIII includes more than 80 school districts in Massachusetts with state-approved Chapter 74 vocational technical education programs.

Minuteman School Committee Member Selected for Leadership Award from State Organization

LEXINGTON – Ford Spalding, a Minuteman School Committee member who helped lead the fight for construction of a new high school, has received a prestigious award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC).

MASC selected Mr. Spalding to receive the MASC’s Division VIII All-State School Committee 2017 award. Division VIII includes more than 80 school districts in Massachusetts with state-approved (Chapter 74) vocational technical education programs.

“We’re very happy that Ford is being recognized for his hard work and we’re grateful for everything he’s done to support vocational technical education and the students at Minuteman High School,” said Dr. Edward Bouquillon, the school’s Superintendent. “In both good times and bad, he’s been there, fighting alongside us. He and I always agree on one thing: the kids come first.”

The award was presented to Mr. Spalding at the MASC Leadership Awards Dinner in Hyannis on November 3.

Mr. Spalding serves as a member of the Minuteman School Committee representing the Town of Dover He also serves as chair of the Minuteman School Building Committee, the group overseeing construction of a new $144.9 million Minuteman High School. Previously, he chaired the Campaign for Minuteman’s Future, a group of volunteers that helped win a district-wide referendum for construction of the new school.

“He’s always positive, energetic and enthusiastic,” said Dr. Bouquillon. “Those are qualities that have helped us time and time again.”

Mr. Spalding has served on the Minuteman School Committee since 2008. He previously served as both chair and vice-chair of the Committee and held positions on several Subcommittees.

He has served as chair of the Minuteman School Building Committee since 2011.

He was inducted into the Minuteman Hall of Fame in 2016.

For many years, Mr. Spalding has been active in his hometown of Dover. He is a former member of the Board of Selectmen, Warrant Committee, Dover Housing Partnership Committee, and the Dover Sherborn Regional School Committee. He chaired the Dover Sherborn Regional School Building Committee on a $40 million project. He currently serves as a member of the Dover Board of Fire Engineers.

He is a former Board member and chair of the Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE).

Mr. Spalding has served in the insurance and benefits industry for over 30 years. He is a Business Associate with Felton, Berlin & Erdmann Insurance Services, Inc. of Peabody.