by Frank Schroth

Yesterday Superintendent Gormley and the School Committee along with a crowd of family, friends, and town officials expressed their gratitude and respect to Glenn Pavlicek who is stepping off the board he has served on for 9 years. I suspect I was not the only one wondering, “Say it ain’t so, Glenn.”  But alas, it is, as perhaps it should be. As Mr. Pavlicek noted, “it is time for other people to step up. You don’t move forward by staying in place.”

A number of speakers paid tribute to Glenn for his time on the School Committee, School Building Committee, and Warrant Committee. It began with MHS student Acadia Ryder who said Pavlicek was “inspiring.” It continued with a series of people who have served with Glenn over the years. This is what they said.

“He was Charlie McCarthy’s walking calculator .  .  . always the numbers guy .  .  . a common sense guy who gets things done.”

— Tony Cichello, Chair of the School Building Committee & past Warrant Committee member

“I’d love to see you just lose it.”

— Laurie Stillman, past School Committee member on Pavlicek’s “level-headed” nature

“He is extraordinarily brilliant .  .  . has an incredible sense of community responsibility .  .  . always a gentleman. Typically one does not want redundancy. I want redundancy in Glenn Pavlicek.”

— Margaret Gibbons, School Nurse and MEA representative

“Glenn Pavlicek has publicly reviewed my annual performance.  .  . I’d like to return the favor.  .  . We are going to really miss Glenn Pavlicek, a champion of every student.”

— Mary Gormley

The MC for the event was Lynda Lee Sheridan who has long served with Pavlicek on the School Committee. She graciously apologized for temporarily knocking him off his school committee perch in an election that feels like a hundred years ago.

The Superintendent announced that two seats in the Charles Winchester Auditorium would be dedicated to Glenn and his wife Anita Penta. It was a touching gesture not only because of Pavlicek’s contribution to the school rebuilding project; but, as Gormley noted, their attendence at countless music performances. Both the Pavlicek boys were active in the music program. Senator Joyce also made a special tribute to Pavlicek reading a proclamation from President of the Senate Therese Murphy commending him for his 15 years of service to the town.

Good bye Glenn and thanks so much.

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