Waltham, MA – Today, the Kennealy-Manning Martin campaign released a new web video, titled “Turnaround Specialist,” highlighting Mike Kennealy’s leadership in the turnaround of the Lawrence Public School system.

In his mid-40’s Kennealy walked away from his career in business to make a difference, and create a better future for the kids in Lawrence, the Commonwealth’s worst performing school district.

Kennealy helped slash the failing bureaucracy, return the dollars to the classroom, and increase graduation rates by 40% in just two years.

Watch the video HERE

The video features Luis Cruz, a former high-school dropout, one of many directly impacted by Kennealy’s work, who described the challenges within the school system before reform.

“The teachers themselves lost motivation to do what they had to,” said Cruz.

“When I went back to school after dropping out, I had such a strong motivation, such a self-drive, I wanted to be successful. After being dropped out for a year, I felt like I wasn’t going to go nowhere and I was stuck in one place in my life and I wanted to advance further than that,” Cruz continued.

“There is something within each of us that calls us to serve. To do something greater than ourselves. I feel that calling,” said Kennealy.

“I’m running for Governor because I know what’s possible when good people unite behind a shared purpose. I believe we can do for Massachusetts what we did in Lawrence: restore accountability, renew hope and rebuild trust in government. I know that with the right approach, our best days are still ahead.”

Today, Luis Cruz is a high school graduate and an X-ray technician at Merrimack Health, formerly known as Lawrence General Hospital.

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