Robinson Brings Sound Judgment, Experience To School Committee

A Letter to the Editor from Erin Gaffen and Michele Sanphy, former co-chairs of Yes for Reading:

We will proudly be supporting Chuck Robinson for another 3-year term on the School
Committee on April 2, 2019.

Chuck has earned the respect and trust of many people in Reading during his nine years of
service on the Finance Committee and past twelve years of service on the School Committee.
We were fortunate to meet and work collaboratively with Chuck during both the 2016 and 2018
override campaigns. Chuck was the Chair of the School Committee during the 2018 override
campaign. His leadership was comprised of a calm demeanor and a strong interest in listening
to all stakeholders and questions to facilitate making the best and most informed decisions for
the Reading Public Schools with transparency. Throughout a long and extraordinarily complex
budget cycle, Chuck attended many lengthy public meetings with the Select Board, Finance
Committee and his School Committee colleagues. And in his personal time, he helped to
educate our community about the need to pass an operational override by reaching out to his
friends and neighbors, holding signs, attending informational meet and greets, and generously
answering questions and listening to the concerns of the people in our town. Chuck understood
the uncertainty that some voters were feeling. He knew how important it was to reach as many
residents as possible because he cared deeply about what the Reading community was at risk
of losing. He even organized the School Committee members in publicly endorsing the need for
an override by taping a message at RCTV Studios. Chuck is consistently committed to
sustainability and accountability.

The passage of the override was an amazing community effort and expression of love for our
town. This was made possible by the Select Board, Finance Committee, and School Committee
members working collaboratively with the resident-led Yes for Reading, and we are forever
grateful to have had Chuck’s leadership and support during that time. We have confidence that
Chuck will maintain the trust he has earned by continuing to think outside of the box and ask
thoughtful questions. Chuck will work hard to ensure that the override dollars continue to be
spent prudently, and that the school budget is sustainable for years to come. Students,
teachers, parents and residents have only to benefit by the sound judgment, experience, and
care that Chuck will continue to bring to the School Committee as the Reading Public Schools
move forward.

We hope you will join us to re-elect Chuck Robinson on April 2, 2019.

Sincerely,

Erin Gaffen and Michele Sanphy, former co-chairs of Yes for Reading