School Committee Vice Chair Dorothy (“Dori”) Parmelee has resigned "effective immediately," the committee announced on Wednesday, February 11th, through a statement read by Select Board Chair Marianne LeBlanc Cummings during the board's remotely held meeting that evening.
Ms. Cummings read the School Committee’s statement:
“In her resignation letter, Dori shared that serving on the School Committee has been one of the most meaningful roles she has held, second only to being a mother. It is in service to that primary role that she has made the decision to step down. We respect and support that decision fully.
Dori has been a thoughtful, dedicated and deeply committed advocate for the students, families, and staff of the Westwood Public Schools. Her perspective, care, and steady focus on what is best for children have been evident in every discussion and decision. We are grateful for the time, energy, and heart she has given to this community.
On behalf of the School Committee and the broader Westwood community, we thank Dori for her service and wish her and her family all the very best. Information about the process of filling the vacancy will be shared in accordance with town procedures, in the coming days.”
Ms. Cummings added another statement, on behalf of Westwood Select Board. She said, “We wish to join the School Committee in thanking Dori for her extraordinary volunteer service to the Westwood Public Schools and our town, and we want to wish Dori and her family all the very best in the future.”
Ms. Parmelee first joined Westwood School committee after being elected in April 2022 with a platform of inclusion. In April 2025, she was re-elected to another three year term through May 2028.
Sunny, with a high of 38 and low of 21 degrees. Sunny during the morning, clear in the afternoon and evening,
This is progress and I am glad to see the Select Board moving in the right direction. However, a majority of voters at last Monday's Special Town Meeting voted to recommend that the Select Board immediately cease its lawsuit against the Westwood Land Trust.
What is the citizen's petition about? I checked the town website, and the only information I could find on town meeting articles was from last year. The public hearing dates for 2026 are posted as February 24-25.
Apparently, you need to submit a public records request through the town's FOIA portal. What a shame, since it should have been posted to the town website upon certification of petition signatures.
Westwood Minute has obtained a copy of the petition and has added a short description of it to the article. A copy of the petition is attached below the article.
Rob - your departure is Westwood's loss. I know well the time, effort and energy our elected officials expend. Thank you for all you have done on Westwood's behalf.
Chris McKeown
37° and Overcast