The proposal is scheduled for a vote at the next selectmen's meeting, Feb. 6.
Selectmen are scheduled to vote next week on a proposal to name the Upper Jackson track after Dave Whelan, a parent and Swampscott schools supporter who died in September. Dave's wife, Jean, his son, Trevor, and former Swampscott track coach Dom Finelli were in the audience Wednesday when School Committee member Marianne Hartmann presented the proposal to selectmen. Dave Whelan was a former School Committee chairman, town treasurer, track supporter and tireless advocate for Chapter 70 education funding for Swampscott. He spent some of his best days at the Upper Jackson track watching the Big Blue teams and his son Trevor compete, Hartmann said. Upper Jackson is located behind the high school off The Greenway. School Committee members …
Town Administrator Tom Younger announced the welcome news to selectmen Wednesday.
A year ago Selectman Barry Greenfied was ready for civil disobedience to draw attention to Swampscott being shortchanged in Chapter 70 education funding. On Wednesday night Town Administrator Tom Younger told selectmen the governor's just released local aid proposal would bring the town to the long promised 17.5 percent of foundation funding — the minimum amount needed to educate students in a town. Under Gov. Deval Patrick's Fiscal Year 2014 budget Swampscott would receive $3.47 million in Chapter 70 funding. That's up $700,000 from the $2.77 million Swampscott was allotted in Fiscal Year 2013. Chapter 70 is the total state funding for K-12 public schools in Massachusetts. The governor's plan would fund all towns and cities in the state…
Swampscott's Dave Whelan died this morning, Saturday, Sept. 1. He was a tireless advocate for the town, in general, and education, in particular.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- Terry Date
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Sunday, September 2, 2012
Good friends of Dave Whelan say it was not just his family and them but the whole town that was dealt a huge loss this morning when Dave died after a battle with cancer. Rick Bessom knew Dave since kindergarten. They went to Clarke School, played Pop Warner football and for Big Blue, graduating Swampscott High in 1975. Later, following college, they shared an apartment in town and, after each of them got married, they remained close. "I lost a good friend," Rick said. "Dave was top notch. He loved his family. He loved the town. He was committed to bettering education for generations to come — and incredibly unselfish, having donated so much of his time." Swampscott Recreation Director Danielle Strauss said Dave was a dedicated friend who…
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Maureen
10:39 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Well said, Kevin and Mary. The naming of the track is certainly a fitting tribute to Dave. Thank you to Marianne for making the proposal to the Board of Selectmen and thanks to Jean and Trevor and Dom for being there to support it. I'm sure the gesture would mean a lot to the man who gave a great deal of time and energy to our town. more ›