School Committee Opens New Term with Quick Meeting

In a 20-minute meeting, the Dedham School Committee welcomed Susan Butler Walko to the board after her election Saturday, and named Kevin Coughlin the committee's chairman.

Coughlin laid out his agenda for the next year, including negotiating Superintendent June Doe's scheduled pay increase, beginning of contract negotiations with unions and seeing the completion of the athletic complex and the new Avery School. 

"I’m looking forward to working with Superintendent Doe and her administrative team," Coughlin said. 

Couhglin added that the Finance Committee didn't grant the school district's request for library book money, and that the School Committee will work to find a solution to the lack of material in the district's libraries.

"We will be working on a library initiative to bring out libraries up to standards that our children deserve," Coughlin said.

The committee's freshman member, Susan Butler Walko, thanked her supporters and campaign volunteers in helping her . She said she learned what the district needed by knocking on 2,400 doors.

"It is an honor to be on this board and I will work hard for students, families and community of Dedham," she said.

Coughling added of his new colleague, "She is passionate and tireless worker for the schools in Dedham."