Thank you Lincoln Sudbury Community

As my term on the LS School Committee ends, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to serve over the past three years. It has been a privilege to put forth my best effort in doing what I felt was best for the students of Lincoln Sudbury High School on your behalf and I am deeply grateful for this experience. The parents in this community are the single most important stakeholders when it comes to the success and well-being of our children. Whether it be supporting our schools, athletic programs, music and theater programs, or supporting our local churches and Scout troops, the investment that the parents in this community make in the success of every child is awe-inspiring.

I started my term as a School Committee member in 2021 toward the end of the pandemic, with students in masks and taking a covid test at the first sign of a sniffle. Fast forward to spring 2024 and “normal” life has returned to LS. The energy that emanates from our campus this time of year is palpable and something I still cannot bring myself to take for granted.

Not only is there a new energy around the campus, there is also new leadership in place within the building. Last year the LS School Committee conducted a successful Superintendent/Principal search and due to the hard work and dedication of so many, Dr. Andrew Stephens was hired in June of 2023. Dr. Stephens brings with him an exciting new energy which has been recognized by students, faculty, and the broader community alike. It has been my pleasure to welcome him and I look forward to seeing how his enthusiasm and fresh ideas move public high school education forward at LS.

Along with acknowledging all that is exciting and new in the past three years, I would be remiss if I did not also recognize what has always been great about LS. By this, I mean the teachers and faculty who are the bedrock of our school. Their dedication and commitment to the success and well-being of every student is second to none and I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn far more deeply how they are continually collaborating in innovative ways to ensure that every LS graduate reaches their full potential. Thank you LS teachers.

Lastly I’d like to give special thanks to two of my colleagues on the School Committee. The first is former School Committee member Harold Engstrom and the second is current and veteran School Committee member Kevin Matthews. Both of you share an unwavering commitment to ethical decision-making and a steadfast determination to always stayed focused on what is best for LS. Change is often challenging, but working with colleagues of such high moral and academic standards was truly an inspiration. With you and because of you, I feel secure in the fact that I am leaving the LS School Committee with LS in an incredibly hopeful place, where all students can continue to find success.

In closing I’d like to welcome Maura (Mo) Carty onto the School Committee as she is sworn into the seat I have vacated. Mo has an unparalleled history of public service in our community. She has served as a voice for parents, students, and staff in her roles on both the LSPO and the LS School Council. In addition, she brings a solid understanding of both LS and town-wide budget issues thanks to her work on the Sudbury Finance Committee. Most importantly, Maura holds a fundamental belief in our system of open government where concepts like integrity, transparency and accountability are not optional, they are essential. This approach to public service has earned her the trust and respect of our community and I’m confident that the good work of the LS School Committee will continue with Maura seated at that table. Even greater things are yet to come!

With sincere gratitude,

Mary