North Adams School Committee Says Goodbye to 3 Members
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city bid farewell to three School Committee members last week who had a combined quarter-century of service.
Mary Lou Acetta, Lawrence Taft and David Lamarre were treated to a small party and tokens of appreciation at what was likely their last meeting.
Mayor Richard Alcombright, chairman of the committee, praised their dedication as "strong leaders and strong professionals" during their tenures.
Accetta, the committee secretary, had been on the committee the longest, being elected in 2003. Taft joined the committee in 2005 and Lamarre in 2011.
Taft said he had been talked into running a decade ago by fellow committee member Mark Moulton, seeing it as an opportunity to give back to the community after his two daughters had graduated from the school system.
"The 10 years have been very rewarding, made some great friendships, we've come a long way, made some tough decisions," he said, referring to the closing of Conte Middle School and the decision to renovate it into an elementary school.
Alcombright all three as both colleagues and friends. Lamarre brought "a practical touch to everything you do" and Taft a fair and intelligent approach to the table and negotiations, "I've learned a lot from you."
"I learned so much from you and the passion you bring to the committee on behalf of students," he said to Acetta.
Each was presented with a piece of black granite inscribed with their names and terms, taken from an old stair during the renovations at Colegrove Park Elementary School.
"I want you to know that the city will not be just letting you run away," the mayor joked, saying the city might need them in the future. "On behalf of the entire city of North Adams, I want to thank you for your dedication to the children of North Adams."
Superintendent of Schools James Montepare said the committee has been able to voice strong opinions and disagree, and still be able to work effectively together.
"We have a such a good School Committee and I've learned so much from all of you," he said. "I hope our new members coming in can understand how an important position you have held."
Lamarre said he had been unsure what to expect four years ago but had been impressed by the depth of knowledge he discovered.
"I think this committee is underestimated and underappreciated, I think in the community," he said.
Both he and Accetta had words of wisdom for their recently elected replacements Karen Bond, Tara Jacobs and Nicholas Fahey, who will be joining the committee after the first of the year.
"Don't tiptoe coming in, don't be timid," Lamarre said.
Accetta, turning to Jacobs who attended the meeting, gave the same advice given her when she took Ronald Superneau's seat more than a decade ago.
"Always think about what's best for the kids," she said. "If you can answer that question, 'what's best for the kids?' everything will fall in place."
Tags: North Adams School Committee, recognition event,
