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I am writing to express my strong support for Dana Guarino and Tom Wise in their candidacies for the School Committee.
First, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Chuck Robinson for his many years of dedicated service to our town—not only on the School Committee but also on the Finance Committee, Town Meeting, and other initiatives that have helped make our community what it is today. His contributions have been invaluable, and I hope to see that momentum continue with Dana and Tom.
For those who may have missed my endorsement of Dana last year, I have known him since my wife and I moved to Reading 30 years ago. His parents, Tom and Tina, were our next-door neighbors, and they instilled in Dana and his brothers a strong moral compass and a deep sense of integrity. Today, Dana is raising three children of his own, all of whom attend Joshua Eaton. He and his wife are active participants in their children’s activities, and Dana volunteers as a flag football coach. His firsthand experience as a parent, combined with his thoughtful and balanced approach, will serve the School Committee well as they navigate both opportunities and challenges—fiscal and otherwise.
Last year, I described Dana as someone with an unwavering drive and work ethic, who approaches every challenge with conviction while always respecting differing viewpoints. With his medical training, he has a keen ability to synthesize complex information and develop well-reasoned solutions. That same passionate commitment to our children and families still holds true today, which is why I continue to support him wholeheartedly.
For those who have followed recent candidate forums or School Committee meetings, it’s clear that Tom Wise is an exceptionally knowledgeable and dedicated leader. As the current School Committee Chair, he has worked tirelessly to advance key initiatives, including finalizing union contracts and advocating for full-day kindergarten—an important milestone we are now about to see realized.
Tom is laser-focused on what matters. The role of the School Committee is not to interfere in day-to-day education delivery or individual student matters, but rather to set policies, budgets, and district goals—then monitor and measure progress to ensure accountability. As Chair, Tom has guided the committee with clarity and purpose, avoiding distractions and keeping the focus on what truly benefits our students. Having run both small and large businesses myself—without the added complexity of a political environment—I know how difficult it can be to lead effectively. Yet Tom does it with remarkable skill and dedication, and our students and community are better for it.
I encourage you to join me in voting for Dana Guarino and Tom Wise for School Committee on April 8th. Their leadership, experience, and commitment to our schools will help shape a brighter future for Reading’s students.
John Sasso
Richards Rd.
