Candidate Statement: Dennis Francis, School Committee

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by School Committee member Dennis Francis.)

Dennis Francis has announced his candidacy for re-election to the Tewksbury School Committee.

Dennis has lived in town for 34 years.  He is married to Diane who is currently an art teacher at the Carroll School in Lincoln.  Dennis and Diane have two daughters who were educated in and have graduated from the Tewksbury school system.  Catherine is a junior at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Phyllis is a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island.

Three years ago, Dennis decided to seek the office to make a positive difference in the education of our students in Tewksbury.  His primary objectives were to make the School Committee more open and approachable, to maintain as many teachers in the classroom as possible, and to make the tough decisions with the students’ best interest in mind.

As a member of the School Committee, Dennis is proud to have accomplished numerous goals including:

• Devoted countless hours and energy to advance the new high school project from a dream to reality.
• Resolved to reduce the K-4 class size to no more than 25 students in any class.
• Advanced the virtual high school concept to offer students more electives.
• Worked to dramatically improve all levels of communication and to make the school department more accountable and transparent.

Upon re-election, Dennis looks forward to continuing the harmonious working relationship between the School Committee, the School Superintendent, the Town Manager and all of the other boards and committees.  In particular, Dennis’ aspirations include:

• Ensure that the new high school is completed on time and on budget.
• Strive for a first-class education for the 21st Century.
• Continue to balance the needs of the students with maintaining fiscal responsibility.
• Persevere in reducing class size throughout the school system.

Over the past three years, Dennis has been a tireless advocate for the students’ best interest in every decision that he has made.  Although sometimes his decisions weren’t always popular, he was not afraid to make the tough choices to ultimately better Tewksbury’s educational opportunities for its students.

Dennis has been honored to serve this community, and he is looking forward to continue making Tewksbury a better place for our students to receive the best possible education that they can.