Leadership Shakeup On Tewksbury School Committee

The Tewksbury School Committee not only has a new member, it also has a new leader.

Newly elected Lisa Puccia took her seat for her first School Committee meeting Wednesday night and the first vote she cast was to help elect Brian Dick as the committee's new chairman.

Dick, starting his third year on the committee, was a unanimous selection. He succeeds Krissy Polimeno, who had served as chairman the past two years and was recently elected to a second term on the committee.

"I'd like to thank Mrs. Polimeno for her leadership over the past two years," said Dick. "Her dedication and leadership is something we should all strive for over the next year."

Dick went on to say he hoped to continue the success and improvements the school district has enjoyed recently. These have included the opening of the new Tewksbury High School and improved standardized test scores.

"I'm going to put my heart and soul into that and work hard for you guys," Dick told his colleagues.

Polimeno said she had every faith in Dick's leadership capabilities and felt it was time for a fresh perspective in the chairman's seat.

"The five of us (on the committee) are all equal," she said. Everyone should have the opportunity. I wholeheartedly support Mr. Dick and I'm sure he will do a wonderful job."

Over the past two years, Dick has been something of a lightning rod for criticism from some residents due to his membership in the Friends of the Tewksbury Community Athletic Complex, a group that has raised funds and lobbied for the construction of a multi-use athletics complex at the new high school with an artificial turf surface, lights and nearly twice as much seating as had been included in the original high school plan.

_that would have paid for such a complex. This year, the town was awarded a $250,000 PARC Grant that can help pay for one aspect of FOTCAC's proposal -- a multi-purpose artificial surface.

Dick said he didn't think his involvement with FOTCAC will have a a negative impact on his ability to serve as the face of the School Committee.

"I think some people look at me as ''the field guy.'" said Dick. "I don't look at myself that way. It's a town project. It's being monitored by (Town Manager Richard) Mountuori. We're fortunate to have his support."

 Also, as part of Wednesday night's re-organization meeting, Dennis Francis elected to be vice chairman and Puccia was elected to be clerk.