by Brian Keaney

Accentuating the positive was the theme of the night as both Kevin Coughlin and supporters said the school systems needs to do a better job promoting the “many, many good things happening there.”  Coughlin’s comments came during his campaign kick off party last night at Centre Deli.

The schools have “a public relations problem,” Coughlin said.  “You walk around and you only hear the bad things.  We need to get out there and do a better job marketing our schools.”

The father of a son at the High School and a daughter at the Middle School said “we have a great elementary system that is second to none.”  He also told the crowd that in addition to being a lifelong resident of the town that he was a “graduate of the Dedham High School and I am proud of that.”

Coughlin said that the education he received at the High School prepared him to receive an education at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  In his professional life Coughlin said he deals with multi-million dollar budgets, and this, he says, will help him with the School Department’s budget in these difficult economic times.

His supporters agreed that the schools do not do a good enough job of promoting themselves.  Mayanne Briggs said that there were many positive things happening in the schools that residents do not know of.

“I am so frustrated that people are choosing private schools,” said Briggs.  “They are not seeing the value and the benefits of the Dedham Public Schools.”

Others echoed those comments.

“I like the way Kevin wants to go out and get good press four our schools,” said Nick Spada.  “He’s going to show the community what wonderful kids we have.”

Coughlin, a former Commissioner on the Dedham Westwood Water District, closed by saying that he will bring transparency and common sense to the Committee, and by highlighting his relationships with elected officials at all levels of government.

Also attending the party, according the Coughlin’s brother Bob, who introduced him, was State Representative Paul McMurtry, DWWD Commissioner Steve Mammone, Selectmen Jim MacDonald, Carmen DelloIacono, and Sarah MacDonald, School Committee members Dave Roberts, who is currently running for reelection, and Tom Ryan, John Bethony of the Planning Board, Parks and Recreation Commissioners Chuck DelloIacono and Mary Sugrue, both of whom are running for reelection, Jim Maher, and Sal Ledda, Conservation Commissioner Jon Briggs, Registrar of Voters Dennis Guilfoyle and Town Democratic Committee Chairman Richard Browne.  Also attending were candidate for School Committee Joe Heisler, candidates for the Parks and Recreation Commission John Maida and Kevin Flaherty, and Braintree City Councilor Charlie Ryan.