Published April 14, 2021
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Outgoing School Committee member Tim Doyle was honored for his 21 years of public service during his last meeting on April 8.
The School Committee invited Doyle’s wife, Jen, and their two children, Hannah and Colin, to the meeting in the Lynnfield High School media center along with current and former officials. In addition to serving 18 years on the school board, Doyle also served as chairman of the School Building Committee that was tasked with overseeing Lynnfield High School’s addition.
“We are here to honor and celebrate our friend and colleague Tim Doyle for his 18 years serving on the School Committee,” said Chairman Jamie Hayman. “Tim’s impact on this community and the people he worked with has been immense. In the 18 years Tim has been on the School Committee, he has worked with five superintendents, helped build a new middle school, add on to the high school, built new fields and we will be adding on to the elementary schools this June. Tim has been closely involved with all of those projects.”
Hayman noted that more 3,000 students have graduated from Lynnfield High School over the course of Doyle’s tenure. He said Doyle played a big part in the school system’s success over the past two decades.
“I can say with unwavering certainty that Lynnfield Public Schools are a better place because of Tim Doyle,” said Hayman. “I have tremendous respect for his thoughtfulness and integrity. He is a good person and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with him and learn from him.”
Hayman also thanked Doyle’s family for supporting him over the years.
“Tim’s family has been so supportive of him during the thousands of hours he has put into this community, especially over the last year,” said Hayman.
Lastly, Hayman thanked Doyle for being a dedicated public servant.
“I want to thank you for the time that you put in, the headaches that you endured and for the legacy that you created in the Lynnfield Public Schools,” said Hayman.
School Committee member Phil McQueen thanked Doyle for his “service, insight, experience, common sense, level-headedness and willingness to be a team player.” He said Doyle’s knowledge about budgets, contract negotiations, School Committee history, policy and building projects have been invaluable.
“Lynnfield has been lucky to have you on the School Committee for two decades,” said McQueen. “You are a valued colleague and a good friend. You are going to be missed.”
School Committee Vice Chairman Rich Sjoberg said Doyle’s knowledge and insight made him a better board member.
“You have given us the insight of the 50,000-foot view,” said Sjoberg. “I spent several hours on the phone with you trying to convince you to have today be a different day. During that time, I have expressed my feelings of gratitude towards you as a colleague and School Committee member, and more importantly a friend. Thank you for everything you have done. This is not a goodbye by any means. I am sure we will see much more of Tim Doyle around Lynnfield. I am grateful for that and I look forward to it.”
School Committee member Stacy Dahlstedt said serving with Doyle has been a “privilege.”
“Lynnfield Public Schools, the School Committee and the community have all benefited from your knowledge, your experience, your steady guidance and your perspective,” said Dahlstedt. “You have been a friend, a mentor and a source of inspiration to me. We had a conversation a few years ago when I was considering running for School Committee, and you said there may be some challenging times. You also said how rewarding it can and will be. That is the truth. I will miss sitting next to you at the table, and I am very grateful to have served with you. Thank you for everything.”
Superintendent Kristen Vogel presented Doyle with a football that has his name and years of service stamped onto it. She said students and staff donated the football.
“It’s right up my alley,” said Doyle.
After Vogel read a citation from the House of Representatives, Lynnfield Teachers Association President Lori Kelly presented Doyle with a hiking backpack.
“Tim’s commitment to educational excellence during his lengthy service as a Lynnfield School Committee member is applauded and commended,” said Kelly. “Tim leads with the educational passion that he inherited from his parents. It’s not surprising that he fell in love with an educator. His wife Jennifer and his incredible children, Hannah and Colin, are also owed a debt of gratitude.”
State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) recalled that residents kept telling him he had to meet Doyle when he first ran for state Senate.
“I finally did and you said call anytime,” said Crighton. “I am thankful that I didn’t have to call you too many times, but you answered the phone every time that I did. That is a true sign of a public servant. Congratulations on a great career.”
Select Board Chairman Chris Barrett said Doyle’s father, late Saugus Superintendent William Doyle, would be incredibly proud of his son.
“Every time you came to a meeting or anything you did for Lynnfield Public Schools, you followed in the footsteps of your dad,” said Barrett. “I think you should be proud knowing that you went above and beyond to become the man and the leader in education that your father would expect. Congratulations on a job well done.”
Doyle was incredibly touched by the tribute. He thanked current and former school staff members and administrators for “making this school system run really well every day.”
“By doing that, they made my job as a School Committee member very easy,” said Doyle.
Doyle praised the Administrative Leadership Team, particularly Vogel and retired Superintendent Jane Tremblay, for helping the school board navigate the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.
“Over the past year, all of you have used your skill, resources and energy to keep our children educated and to get our buildings back open,” said Doyle. “To me, that is pretty special.”
Doyle said the School Committee has had a number of accomplishments over the past year, including hiring Vogel, implementing the hybrid model, getting the elementary schools’ expansion project passed and reopening the schools.
“And like the administrators, the four of you have done it with grace, humility and dignity,” said Doyle. “It is truly a special committee. I want to thank you for that.”
Doyle also thanked Hannah and Colin for the support they have provided him over the years.
“Beginning on April 14, when you two go to school, there won’t be an extra set of eyes on you because your dad is on the School Committee,” Doyle joked.
Doyle thanked his wife Jen as well.
“When I started on this committee at age 27, I was a bachelor and I didn’t know Jen,” said Doyle. “When we got married, I said I wanted to stay in Lynnfield and I wanted to stay on the School Committee. And she agreed. She has been a great listener, has been my most important advisor and she is my best friend. And to that, I say thank you.”
While Doyle said serving on the School Committee has been a “challenge,” he also said it was “fun.”
“When I leave tonight, I leave fully rewarded,” said Doyle. “I am happy with everything we have done. Thank you all for the support over the last 18 years. I truly appreciate it.”
After Doyle concluded his remarks, he was given a standing ovation.
The School Committee also donated four books to each school’s media center in Doyle’s honor. The committee also gave him an autobiography about President John F. Kennedy.
