School Committee Candidates Jump on at Last Minute

What had been a dull school committee election season has now turned into a real horse race. Last week five new candidates pulled nomination papers. There are now ten names vying to be on the ballot in the September primary.

Two incumbents have announced their intentions to serve again with eight challengers intending to stand for one of the three available positions. At least one challenger is assured of gaining a seat on the committee.

The candidates here are listed based on filing date:

• Sean O'Brien

• Mark Lee

• John Harris

• Kenneth Sawicki

• Nate Bryant (incumbent)

• William Kirby

• Francis Vigeant

• James Fleming (incumbent)

• Lisa Lavoie

• Deborah Amaral

The deadline for pulling nomination papers is July 29.  Nomination papers must be turned in to the city clerk by Aug. 2. The preliminary election is scheduled for Sept. 20. On Nov. 8, the final election will be held.

As of yesterday, the city clerk had Francis Vigeant as the only school committee candidate to have turned in the requisite amount of signatures.

Be sure to check out Patch for our weekly elections update.