Published February 10, 2021

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Parent frustration over the school system’s hybrid learning plan has resulted in a four-way race for two seats on the School Committee.

Planning Board Chairman Brian Charville and Huckleberry Hill Road West resident Kate DePrizio both pulled nomination papers for School Committee last week and they were certified by Town Clerk Linda Emerson on Monday afternoon. Both candidates are running for three-year terms and are challenging School Committee members Tim Doyle and Phil McQueen.

Charville, who sparred with the School Committee during the public participation portion of a Feb. 2 meeting, told the Villager he decided to run because he has “an approach, experience and perspective” that he believes “would benefit the committee and Lynnfield Public Schools overall.” 

“We are at a critical moment for our children’s education, and Lynnfield has always valued and understood the importance of education, so I can think of no more important issue in this town right now,” Charville started in an email sent to the Villager. “My family and I believe that we are the change we seek. I believe that more accountability for our district is required for us to navigate the issues that we are facing within the system – both the pandemic and future challenges we’ll face. In watching School Committee meetings, my feeling is there’s too much ‘business as usual.’ It’s time for more questions and more answers, and it is the role of School Committee members to be asking those questions of LPS administration, both working with them to fulfill their vision and challenging them if elements of their plan don’t seem to best serve the community – students, parents and teachers alike.”

DePrizio agreed.

“I have decided to run for Lynnfield School Committee because I am displeased with the lack of communication, an actionable plan, accountability, creativity and collaboration, and I am most displeased with the lack of compassion,” said DePrizio.

DePrizio and Charville both told the Villager they want the school system to increase in-person learning while following the state’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.

“I want to increase in-person learning to the greatest extent possible while in adherence with public health guidelines, space capacity limitations and parental preference,” stated DePrizio. “With that said, where is our ingenuity and our collaboration? By keeping our parents and the community at arm’s length and without an actionable plan, I believe that the Lynnfield School Committee has misused its’ most valuable asset — this amazing community. Lynnfield is filled with highly educated, creative, resourceful and incredibly motivated residents who have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to be considered as part of the solution. This is clearly evidenced, by surrounding communities that are increasing in-person instruction by thinking creatively while adhering to public health guidelines.”

Charville concurred with DePrizio’s viewpoint.

“I believe in science, medicine, engineering and technology,” said Charville. “The pandemic has spared no one, and times are tough, but I do not believe that, today, our town’s schools are operating at maximum safe occupancy.”

Charville also questioned why the School Committee did not announce kindergarten students will be resuming in-person learning in early March during the Feb. 2 meeting and why Superintendent Kristen Vogel announced the change in an email sent to families three days later. Changes to contractual agreements with municipal employees usually take place in executive session and agreements are typically made public after pacts are finalized.

“There is a tremendous lack of transparency and I will seek to change that,” said Charville. “Without that transparency, it’s impossible for parents to trust that everything possible is being done within the schools to increase in-person learning. If it’s true that nothing more can be done beyond K returning to full-time, I want to see the fact-based analysis by the right professionals — educators, public health experts and architects — that proves it.  My plan is to figure out maximum safe capacity and then schedule kids into it.  I’m not saying force any student, teacher or family into an in-person environment that doesn’t meet the test of state guidelines and good science. But the School Committee has moral and legal obligations to do everything in their power to maximize education opportunities for each LPS student in the good times and the bad.”

DePrizio said she wants the School Committee to change the way it has been operating.

“I would like to see the Lynnfield School Committee share an actionable plan that details specific obstacles to increasing in-person learning,” said DePrizio. “I would like to see their mitigation strategies for these obstacles. I would like to see validation and compassion in all the Lynnfield School Committee oral and written correspondence. I would like to see clear communication and accountability for their action and inaction. Above all, I would like the Lynnfield School Committee to be willing to have the uncomfortable conversations, and ask the hard questions.”

Charville echoed DePrizio’s point of view.

“As I am just beginning my campaign, I am becoming more familiar with the current committee and LPS administration and how they operate,” said Charville. “I appreciate each of their service to the town. If anything, I am interested to learn the internal dynamics and operating procedures of the School Committee, and better understand how they work with LPS administration. Once I understand that, I will push for the changes that I think are necessary for better transparency and critical thinking. Our School Committee plays a crucial role in the future of Lynnfield, and my goal would be to continue thinking about the future while best managing the crisis at hand.”

Charville said he would serve as an “advocate” for Lynnfield families if he gets elected to the school board.

“I am seeking community input on my Facebook Page, Brian for Lynnfield School Committee (@BrianForLynnfieldSchoolCommittee),” said Charville.  “The most important job of the School Committee is to hire, support and manage the superintendent. Superintendent Vogel is relatively new to the job and has to lead in the most difficult circumstances in generations. At this moment, she needs the School Committee’s best, full support to lead the system and fulfill her duties. She, not the School Committee, should be the public face and day-to-day leader of the schools.”

DePrizio led the community advocacy group Together We Grow that fought for the successful passage of the elementary school expansion project last fall.

“In that role, I worked with town officials, School Committee members, our current and former superintendent, teachers and a diverse group of Lynnfield residents across all generations,” said DePrizio. “My approach was fueled by my love of our town, creativity, passion for collaboration, tenacity and great heart. The mission of Together We Grow was to communicate with the public clearly and consistently. Our goal was to keep residents apprised of changes, answer questions, have the uncomfortable conversations and clearly present the plan of the school expansion project, and we succeeded with flying colors. These tenets are part of what I find to be lacking in our current School Committee.”

DePrizio also serves as president of the Town Day Parents’ Forum, is co-vice president of the Huckleberry Hill School PTO and is a Brownie Girl Scout leader. She is also the co-director of the Huckleberry Hill School Variety Show, is a cheer coach and a La Leche League leader.

“My most cherished role is being a mom of four,” said DePrizio.

Charville has lived in town with his family for the past six years. He works as an attorney, is a Cub Scout Den Leader and is the current chairman of the Planning Board.

“I have two children who attend Summer Street School, and come September I’ll have three kids there,” said Charville. “My family has a combined 34 years of LPS education ahead of us. For the past four years, I’ve been lucky to serve on the town’s elected Planning Board, and most of that time I have served as chair. I’m proud of my work on the Planning Board. We have promoted conservation and smart development, capably overseen approval of several new subdivisions, brought a Tesla Supercharger to MarketStreet, and hired a superb Planning director and other Planning staff. I led efforts to clean up the board’s website, meeting notices, case files and meeting minutes. Serving on the Planning Board has given me fluency in town issues, Town Meeting and our shared future challenges.”

DePrizio and Charville both stated they have a tremendous amount of respect for the town’s educators.

“Our teachers are truly amazing,” said DePrizio. “I am in awe of their persistence, ingenuity, generosity and thoughtfulness. Even with limited time in-person, I am beyond grateful that my children’s teachers not only see who they are as learners but they find a way to celebrate who they are.”

Charville, who previously worked as a classroom teacher, said he has family members who are educators.

“I think teachers are essential workers and should be treated as such,” Charville wrote on his Facebook page.