LYNNFIELD — It’s the end of an era for longtime Lynnfield School Committee member Tim Doyle, who, after logging a total of 18 years on the committee, will not seek another term.
“I took out the papers but with four candidates, it came down to having to run a campaign, which would require a lot of time and resources,” said Doyle. “I didn’t think I could run an effective campaign to be successful. I knew it was going to be a very competitive campaign with no room for shortcuts.
“It came down to the timing wasn’t great. I wanted to do it well and be successful but between the commitment of organizing the campaign and running my day-to-day business, I didn’t think I could do it right.”
Doyle was elected to the School Committee in 2000, serving as its vice chair from 2005-12 and 2015-16 and chair from 2016-18. He has worked with five superintendents.
During his tenure, Doyle has seen the construction of a new middle school and the renovation and expansion of the high school. Doyle leaves on a high note, following the town’s push to expand and upgrade the two elementary schools, which was finalized last December when voters approved the $17 million debt-exclusion project.
While proud of those improvements, Doyle believes his most satisfying experience occurred in 2000. At the time, the committee was working to develop its budget and also on the verge of beginning contract negotiations with the Lynnfield Teachers Union (LTA).
“The economy had collapsed and we knew we had to consider significant layoffs based on the budget we had,” Doyle said. “We spent a lot of time on that and realized that if teachers were willing to accept no raises and not take any steps, we could avoid laying off teachers. LTA said if we promised there would be no layoffs, they would agree.
“That sticks out as one of the biggest successes during my term on the committee because it represented the teachers’ willingness to cooperate to protect the integrity of the school district and to respect that the School Committee and superintendent were not playing hardball. That speaks to everything that is great about Lynnfield schools and the town — the willingness to work together for the betterment of all — and represents everything that being on this committee and team is all about.”
Doyle has spent his entire life in Lynnfield. Shortly before he was born (he is the youngest of four) his parents took a ride from their residence in Everett, traveling north on Route 1 and ultimately landing in Lynnfield.
“They took a left at Our Lady of Assumption Church, fell in love with the town and bought a house,” Doyle said. “My world is very small, so small that 11 years ago I bought the house I grew up in from my mother.”
Doyle graduated from Lynnfield High School in 1991, where he was a captain of the football team. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and classical civilization at Fordham University, graduating in 1995. A 1998 graduate of the Massachusetts School of Law, he joined the law offices of Thomas F. Colonna & Associates that same year as a general practitioner, becoming a principal in 2000. Doyle specializes in probate and estate planning and real estate, managing the firm’s real estate conveyancing department.
Doyle said he has always been immersed in the world of education. His father, Bill, spent 41 years in education, 13 as the school superintendent in Saugus. His mother, Lisa, taught in Saugus.
“I think it was by osmosis and remember the Sunday nights before School Committee meetings when my father would be on the phone with the committee for hours,” Doyle said. “When I got elected, I vowed never to both the superintendent on weekends because you need to have boundaries.”
He began his school committee journey as a 27-year old bachelor, but met his wife, Jen, before his second term.
“My parents sat me down and told me it was time to give back to the community, so I decided to run,” Doyle said. “Then, I met Jen and she agreed to move to Lynnfield so I could stay on the committee. If you had told me at age 27 I’d still be here, I’d have thought you were crazy. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity and think we have done a good job.
“I never viewed this as being about me. It’s about us, so I would say that anyone coming on with an agenda for the benefit of their child shouldn’t run for School Committee.”
The Doyles are the proud parents of Hannah, 15, a student at Lynnfield High, and Colin, 13, a student at Lynnfield Middle School.