School leadership on display at meeting, fire
Acton and Carlisle are fortunate to have leaders like Laurie and Bob serving our students, staff, and families.
At the April 27 Town Meeting, many residents saw what strong public leadership looks like.
Our superintendent, Dr. Laurie Hunter, stood before a packed room of roughly 400 people to present the school articles. She did so with confidence, clarity, and calm professionalism. What many may not have realized is that her presentation reflected nearly five months of careful preparation to meet a demanding timeline and deliver a responsible path forward for our schools.
Nearby was Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Bob Conry, following every slide closely, line by line, fully invested in the moment. It was a simple reminder that the people leading our schools care deeply about getting it right.
Then, after the meeting ended around 9:30 p.m., when most would reasonably call it a long day, both headed home. But before they even made it through the door, they received word of smoke at Thoreau Elementary School, where sprinklers had activated and caused significant damage. Without hesitation, both turned around, drove back, and reported to the school in the middle of the night. Their focus was immediate and clear: Ensure everyone was safe, assess the damage, and determine what it meant for students arriving the next morning.
That is dedication. Not the kind that seeks attention, but the kind that quietly shows up when it matters most.
Acton and Carlisle are fortunate to have leaders like Laurie and Bob serving our students, staff, and families. I am proud to serve alongside them and grateful for all they do behind the scenes each day. As always, I encourage members of the community to tune in to our School Committee meetings to hear more about the important work underway in our schools.
Andrew Herchek
Garland Road
The author is a School Committee chair writing on his own behalf.
