Dunne to Serve as Vice-Chair on School Board, Charest to Secretary
Dunne and Charest appointed to leadership positions as School Committee organizes for the new year.
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Veteran School Committee member Beverley Griffin Dunne returns to a leadership position on the committee this year, following a unanimous vote by her colleagues Tuesday night.
Jarrod Hochman nominated Dunne, who has spent a decade on the elected board, saying he felt privileged to serve alongside her, and added that he has great admiration for Dunne. Tom Rossignoll served as Vice-Chair for 2012.
"It's been a while since I've served as Vice-Chair," Dunne said, thanking her fellow committee members. She said she was honored by the decision.
It's also an election year times two for Dunne -- she is running for State Representative in a special election this spring and come fall, she may be running to keep her School Committee seat if she's not on Beacon Hill.
Rossignoll and Hochman will also be up for re-election in the fall, both for second four-year terms.
Hochman, who served as Secretary for the board in 2012, also nominated Ed Charest to take his place this year, which was followed by another unanimous vote.
"You don't want me to make a speech too, do you?" Charest said, smiling.
"Congratulations to you both. I think we're looking forward to another productive year," said Mayor Ted Bettencourt, who chairs the committee.
Bruce Atkins
1:06 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Let's hope Dunne does a better job on the school board than she has in the past. She is not ready for the big league by any means. One example where she played a major part in costing the taxpayers plenty:
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x257824297/Project-may-top-70K-a-student
David MacDonald
2:12 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
At least Mrs. Dunne will listen to all side of an argument and ask questions before making a decision, unlike most people, citizens and politicians alike. When Tom Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe, everyone looked at him as a backup, fill in QB, not ready for the big leagues (a starter in the NFL), and he did pretty well. Bev is intelligent, articulate, and proud supporter of the City and it's students. I am not sure who is qualified to judge her readiness to hold state office?
In this article, I read her comments as there needs more research done. This is a special segment of the student population that need specific services the district has to provide and outsourcing is an expensive option, plus, in my opinion, it's the right thing to do for the students.
Bruce Atkins
3:17 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
My point was a consultant had to find this - no thanks to the school committee, which should have been on top of this. Another vote she took to remove the supt - I read she voted "Present" rather than cast a yes or no. That's a coward and not something Joyce Spiliotis would have done. Joyce took a hard vote on the gay marriage bill. It wasn't a popular vote, and it caused her grief I was told, but she voted the way her constiuents wanted her to vote. She could have voted "present" and taken an easier path.
David MacDonald
3:35 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Obviously I am a supporter of Mrs. Dunne, and knowing her, 1. its unfair to compare her or anyone to the great Joyce Spiliotis, 2. to call someone a coward, without I am guessing ever meeting her or speaking with her, is a cowardly move and 3. if you disagree with someone's vote, have you ever asked their reasoning? You will find all elected officials in Peabody are very accessible. If you would like to meet her in person, it can be arranged, maybe you can get a better picture on all her positive contributions she and her family have made to this community.
David MacDonald
6:46 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
One more point, Mr. Atkins, you seem to have taken the role of political bully and reading your posts, you are a supporter of Mr. Slattery. If spewing your negativity onto a voting population that is growing tired of negative campaigns, then you are not doing any favors for your candidate, if he so chooses to enter the race. You know, my ice cubes aren't a typical Peabody brown tonight, see, things are getting better.
Bruce Atkins
7:42 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
You are wrong on all counts Mr. MacDonald including your speculation of my support of a man who is not even in the race and a candidate who I did not support in his last endeavor either. An elected official's record is and should be considered when he/ she runs for re-election or higher office, whiy is why I did not support Mr. Slattery the last time and I will not support Mrs. Dunne. Glad to hear your ice cubes aren't brown tonight - neither are mine.
Ima Voter
11:07 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I know Tom Brady, and Beverly Dunne is NO Tom Brady! And, as far as Joyce Spiliotis goes...Joyce's generally undistinguished career in the state legislature was marked by her bizarre outbursts when it came to the matter of sexual orientation, and ultimately made her a national symbol of bigotry. Is this what you are suggesting candidates emulate?
Saber Walsh
7:58 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I think Ms Dunne will do fine. If we put Ed Charest in we didn't have much in terms of high expectations, did we! So let's just shut up and take what's coming -- at least she's graduated from college and law school and I think still has kids in the system, sure better than the used car salesman and the "chronically 'laid off'" people we've stuck ourselves with in the past.
She will be fine.