Greater Lawrence Technical School Recognizes Contributions of School
Committee Chairman Leo Lamontagne
After 38 Years of Service, Lamontagne is Longest Serving Elected Official in
Lawrence History
ANDOVER – Superintendent John Lavoie is pleased to announce that
Greater Lawrence Technical School held a special ceremony to recognize
School Committee Chairman Leo Lamontagne for 38 years of service on
Tuesday night before the board's regularly scheduled meeting.
Lamontagne is retiring from his position on the board effective in
January, and he was honored prior to the start of his final meeting on
Tuesday night.
Lamontagne took his oath of office in January of 1986, and has
continued to serve on the school committee ever since, attending not just
hundreds of meetings, but also thousands of school events, graduations,
national honor society inductions, sporting events, building committee
meetings and more.
Lawrence City Council President Marc Laplante said Lamontagne is
the longest serving elected official in Lawrence history.
Lamontagne was recognized by school committee members,
Lawrence's statehouse delegation, and members of the Lawrence City
Council, among others, with Culinary students providing food at the event,
which also featured table centerpieces crafted by GLTS Horticulture students.
"Leo has had such a huge impact on GLTS for the last 38 years that
you can't really measure it in words, but you can look at GLTS, you can look
at its history, and you can look at the changes that have happened," said
Superintendent John Lavoie. "We have always continued to move in a
progressive way so students could get the best education possible."
"There is no person I know of who has more integrity than Leo
Lamontagne," Lavoie continued. "In doing this job and doing his best for the
students in this school and the community, he was truly invested here in
GLTS and helped us have the best impact we possibly could on our
community."
Lamontagne was presented with citations from both the Massachusetts
House of Representative and Senate, with Rep. Frank Moran and Sen. Pavel
Payano both offering words of recognition. Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena
also presented Lamontagne with a citation from the City of Lawrence.
"You helped shape the lives, and transform the lives, of so many kids
in this school," said Rep. Moran, himself a GLTS graduate. "The school back
in 1986 and what it is today is like night and day. You transformed the school,
you transformed the lives of kids, and that is a credit to you."
"Leo spent 38 years walking the walk, and you all know what that term
implies," said School Committee Member Marilyn Fitzgerald. "He never had
any agenda other than bettering the lives and education of the students and
families that he represented. He has been a steadfast beacon of stability and
purpose, and he never sought the limelight, instead always giving credit to
others."
Be the first to comment