Bevilacqua Formally Resigns School Seat; Officer Election Delayed

City Councilor and former School Committeeman Joseph J. Bevilacqua.

School Committee President Scott W. Wood Jr.

School Committee President Scott W. Wood Jr.

The elected leadership on the 2016 Haverhill School Committee will remain status quo until a now-vacant committee seat is filled.

For the time being, Committee President Scott W. Wood Jr. and Vice President Maura Ryan-Ciardiello will retain their positions. A motion from outgoing Committeeman Joseph J. Bevilacqua to delay the panel’s election of president and vice-president passed unanimously with seven votes. The first meeting of the year tradition will instead occur the first meeting after a newly-appointed successor to Bevilacqua is selected. In parting remarks Thursday, Bevilacqua reflected on his serving the past 10 years, during which, he said, positive accomplishments were made, including fully restored accreditation and added academies at the high school.

School Committee Vice President Maura Ryan Ciardiello.

School Committee Vice President Maura Ryan Ciardiello.

“Graduation rates have increased, from 2010 at 67 percent, to 2014 at 75 percent. Enrollment continues to increase, which I think is a positive trend. We’ve made major improvements to our school facilities and recognize the fact we have limited funds. More donations to the schools over the past four years than the previous 20, close to a million dollars has been donated. We’ve reduced the out of district SPED (special education) placements. School Choice, out of district, has gone down, something which we have argued and talked about for years. All-day kindergarten, one of the major assets we have asked for on behalf of our parents, has been implemented along with kindergarten centers,” Bevilacqua said.

While he called Thursday “not a happy day,” Bevilcaqua said he will “look forward to even better things for the schools.” Bevilacqua’s resignation from the school committee, for which he said was to “keep his word” to the public after being elected to the city council, took effect Friday.

One thought on “Bevilacqua Formally Resigns School Seat; Officer Election Delayed

  1. Leave it to a self-serving egotist to take credit for someone else’s work!
    All of the improvements you cite Joe are tied directly to the appointment of Jim Scully as Superintendent.
    You have no shame!

    After you read this comment Joe maybe you can reply publicly why you’ve said NOTHING as President/CEO of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce on the parking and meals tax imposed on downtown businesses. In that position YOU are the person who should have been front and center in expressing outrage for your chamber members, yet you’ve said nothing. And now here you are taking credit for the work of someone else. You need to explain that!!!