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With Much
Appreciation
From
Superintendent of Schools Dr. John D’Auria
As I sit at
my desk the day after the override vote, I am left with an
overwhelming sense of gratitude. There are so many people to
thank and an incredible set of contributors to acknowledge in
this community’s effort to pass an override. From my vantage
point, the following individuals and groups played an enormously
helpful role in strengthening Canton’s municipal and school
services:
 • Last
year’s Override Steering Committee for developing a roadmap that
helped us to better understand the challenges of running a
campaign. These “pioneers” were: Francois Bigot, Tom Winchell,
James Casamento, Larry Ransford, Christine Smith, Cam Reese,
Marla Schay Barker.
• This
year’s Steering Committee members who organized and energized
this override campaign: Ken Barrett, Susan Harrington, Diane
Gustafson, Julie Jenkins, Gary Kaplan, Kristin Newton, Maura
Proctor, Cam Reese, Russell Stevens, Cindy Thomas.
• All the
unions in town for agreeing to a 0 percent COLA. Their
willingness to accept such a restrained settlement helped the
town get through a very tough period.
• The
teachers for not only agreeing to a contract that was sensitive
to the financial conditions of the town but also for
consistently exhibiting a professionalism in carrying out their
duties this year under very challenging circumstances.
• The
parents who demonstrated Herculean efforts to provide assistance
in our schools and classrooms and for their phenomenal efforts
to communicate the needs of the students and teachers and
campaign for this override.
• The Canton
Pride volunteers who made thousands of phone calls, developed
extensive information packets, and provided community outreach.
• The
present members of the School Committee as well as John
Bonnanzio and Laura Hallowell, for protecting the most essential
elements of a quality education while tirelessly advocating for
the needs of Canton’s students.
• The
members of the FinCom and the members of the Board of Selectmen
who endorsed this override and publicly advocated for the needs
of the town.
• The many,
many citizens, who despite the high cost of utilities and the
strain on finances, decided to invest in Canton’s future.
• The
skeptics and critics who doubted and criticized and disagreed.
Their questions and their comments helped us to think a little
more deeply and creatively about the issues at hand. It was in
the give and take of those exchanges, that we strengthened the
democracy of our community and demonstrated a powerful example
to our children of how to conduct a civil and honest debate.
My Italian
ancestry leads me to want to leave a gift of food for the many
who served in this important effort. Obviously that is
impractical, but in keeping with this longstanding family
tradition, I would like to offer you an interesting recipe, one
that might not sound appealing but is refreshingly delicious.
Strawberries Delizioso
In a bowl
combine 4 cups of fresh strawberries (sliced), 2 tablespoons of
sugar, 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar (I know it sounds odd,
but trust me). Gently stir until the strawberries are evenly
coated. Grate the skin of an orange and from those shavings add
one half a teaspoon of orange “zest” to the mixture. Stir again.
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve over ice cream or
low fat yogurt. Gustare (Enjoy)!
May 22, 2008
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