MAYOR STEPHEN N. ZANNI HONORED WITH 2015 NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION AWARD BY THE SCHOOL SAFETY ADVOCACY COUNCIL
Mayor Stephen N. Zanni has been honored with a 2015 National
Bullying Prevention Award by the School Safety Advocacy Council and Executive Director
Curtis Lavarello. He is the only Mayor in the country ever to be recognized
with the honor. The award was presented at the National Conference on Bullying
in Orlando, FL on February 25, 2015.
Mayor Zanni has
lived in Methuen for over 30 years and has a thirty-six year background in
teaching and school administration. He has always been strongly committed to
strengthening the public school system in both the education and safety realms.
Moreover, his overall plan has been a direct benefit to Methuen’s children and
has helped foster a positive attitude and discourage bullying.
“This honor from
the School Safety Advocacy Council is humbling indeed,” says Mayor Zanni.
“Bullying is one of the most serious problems plaguing our schools and young
people today. It hits at the heart of self-esteem, performance in the classroom,
and in social activities. I am extremely honored to be recognized by this
important organization.”
When he became
Methuen’s Mayor, the $100 million dollar project to remodel Methuen High School
was over budget and at a standstill. Zanni managed to get the project on track and
on schedule to be finished on time and within budget, including a significant
CPTED upgrade.
Zanni has been
committed to the safety and security of all Methuen schools and has constantly
advocated for increased methods and tactics. He authorized and supported a
public private partnership between the school department, the police determent
and a private contractor to increase safety. The result of three years of
testing and research and development a state of the art automatic shot
detection system has been installed in one of Methuen’s schools.
In addition, Mayor Zanni has taken
on leadership roles working directly with the youth of Methuen, fostering
positive learning and sports environments as a volunteer coach for youth and
high school athletics, and as a member of the Methuen Youth Commission.
Mayor Zanni is also
the driving force behind artificial turf being installed in our football
stadium and the design of safe, and modern field house and clubhouse facilities
for male and female student-athletes. Each element of the plans he sets in
place are carefully crafted to focus on positive interactions with our youth
and on building self-esteem while reducing violence and bullying.
He was recognized
by the School Safety Advocacy Council for being a positive role model to our
children, and for providing innovative approaches to education and safety.
