LYNN — Longtime School Committee member John Ford, 75, said he will not be running for re-election after 20 years on the committee.
He said the decision was very tough to make, but he simply ran out of gas.
“I had every intention of going for it and then when it came time to go to get signatures, which is a lot tougher in the pandemic situation, I just realized I just didn’t have enough desire anymore,” Ford said. “I don’t do anything half measure. I’m pretty focused on whatever I do.”
Ford said he has taken his position on the Lynn School Committee very seriously over the last 20 years and has worked at that job every day of the week.
He is unsure if he made the right decision, but said he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Sheila.
Ford hopes to remain involved with the community, especially the new Pickering Middle School project.
He sums up his experience with the School Committee as “great.”
“I’ve always enjoyed it,” he said. “I’m just very happy to have been lucky enough to have been elected 10 times.”
After the tough year the schools have faced due to the pandemic, Ford says he is still going to miss being on the School Committee come January when his term is over.
“My wife has already said, ‘you might be a miserable grump in January,’ and she might be right,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere, I’ll be available and I’m sure I’ll still be involved in some way.”
Fellow School Committee member Jared Nicholson said Ford will be missed on the committee, but that there is no doubt he will continue to serve the students of Lynn through his various involvements.
“John Ford has always been prepared, dedicated, and thoughtful — qualities any board member should aspire to,” Nicholson said. “He has been particularly helpful and knowledgeable about our school facilities and athletics programs. His keen insight and friendly demeanor would add a lot to any conversation. Because of his passion, that’s particularly true for any conversation about issues that involve the students of Lynn.”
Another longtime School Committee member, Lorraine Gately, said she was sad to hear about Ford not running for re-election, saying she will miss him so much.
“He’s a great resource to our community,” she said. “He’s always been supportive and thoughtful to our community for all of the needs of our students and staff.”
Gately said she hopes Ford is able to serve on the committee for the new Pickering Middle School because he has a wealth of knowledge on buildings as the chairperson of the building and grounds subcommittee.
“He gets to see a wide view of the city of Lynn and the students’ needs,” Gately said. “I can’t believe he’s leaving.”
Committee member Brian Castellanos said it was an honor to work alongside Ford.
“John Ford has dedicated his time and efforts to serving the students and families of Lynn with integrity and passion,” he said. “I have learned a great deal from him and appreciated the wisdom and insight he brought to the School Committee. I have the utmost respect for Ford and he will be missed.”
School Committee member Michael Satterwhite described Ford as being passionate about his family and his city.
“I have known John my entire life and he has always been good to my family,” Satterwhite said. “As a School Committee member, John is passionate about education and making sure our students and educators are in safe buildings.”
Satterwhite encouraged people to send their best wishes to Ford as he ends his time on the School Committee in January 2022.
The Lynn School Committee is only seeing three incumbents running for re-election this year. Members Satterwhite and Nicholson have submitted nomination papers to run for mayor, while committee members Gately, Castellanos and Donna Coppola are seeking re-election.
New candidates for this committee include Rocio Mora, Eric Dugan, Tiffany Jean Magnolia, Lenny Pena and Sandra Lopez.
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].