Latest news with #SchoolCommittee
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Should Pittsfield restructure middle school grades?
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Pittsfield School District is also looking to hear from residents on the proposal to restructure middle school grades. They're considering redistricting the middle schools to divide the city's two schools by grade, rather than location. It would create one school for students in 5th and 6th grade, and another for 7th and 8th. Education Department pausing plan to garnish Social Security checks over defaulted loans They say it'll help them focus more on the needs of each group. The School Committee is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, June 11th, at City Hall at 5:15 p.m. Following the public hearing, the School Committee will determine whether to move the proposal forward for a vote on June 25th. If the committee votes to approve the change, it would go into effect in the fall. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
District rolls out new ELA curricula
ANDOVER — The school district will roll out new English Language Arts curricula for kindergarten through eighth grade in the fall. The School Committee voted, 5 to 0, at its Thursday meeting to approve the curriculum Great Minds' Arts and Letters at the elementary level and Amplify ELA at the middle school level in order to begin implementation at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. During the past year, a working group of administrators and a team of elementary and middle school teachers tested and evaluated different programs for English Language Arts (ELA). The school district partnered with Achievement Network (ANet) for a literacy audit and to develop the working group in order to review and assess literacy curriculum. A working group was guided by the Implement Massachusetts framework from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Pilot programs were then launched across Andover schools and observed how both students and teachers engaged with the new materials. Both Amplify and Arts and Letters were part of the pilot project. From January to May, a pilot group of 45 elementary and 27 middle school teachers piloted the curriculum in a month-long test. In May, the teachers who piloted the programs in their classrooms, along with administrators, selected their preferred curriculum. While both programs were piloted at the elementary and middle school levels, educators and administrators collectively chose ones for each level. 'The goal was to really make sure that this fit the expectation and the need that the grade-level teachers thought it would,' Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Julie Riley said. 'It was really important that each group had the ability to make that decision independently.' For elementary students and teachers, Arts and Letters will see instructional time divided into four modules that integrate ELA with social studies, science and fine arts in 60 minute lesson structures. The modules will incorporate literacy, nonfiction, fine art and multimedia texts. Writing is included in all instructions such as narrative, expository, persuasive and responsive interwoven in each module. Amplify ELA for middle schools is a comprehensive curriculum centered on complex texts for the students to build meaning and express their own ideas through writing. It blends print and digital platforms. The curriculum focuses on writing in response to reading. The middle school curriculum is structured, but has flexibility. School Committee member Lauren Diffenbach said she felt good about the curricula. She said it was helpful to see the teachers' feedback. During the rollout next school year, there will be comprehensive professional development and embedded coaching from both curriculum vendors. The school district is additionally planning parent informational sessions.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Westfield School Committee passes $75.5 million budget
WESTFIELD — The School Committee's vote to accept the fiscal year 2026 budget of $75.57 million followed public participation with more advocacy for positions and programs that are among next year's cuts, and a discussion on how a Senate earmark by state Sen. John Velis of $250,000 will impact the bottom line. Several students and a teacher continued their advocacy for the Children's Corner, the laboratory preschool at Westfield High School, speaking about the value of that program during the public portion. Other students and residents also spoke in support of positions scheduled to be cut at WTA. During the meeting, Finance Committee Chair Bo Sullivan made the motion for the acceptance of the FY26 budget, but gave a figure that included the earmark. 'Two weeks ago, we tabled the vote because of the $250,000 earmark initiative by Sen. Velis that was backed up by Rep. Pease. It passed the Senate, and is currently in reconciliation,' Sullivan said. 'One of the major questions we had, if approved, do we get it immediately or like everything else, not for six months. I was told as soon as it comes out of reconciliation,' he added. Mayor Michael McCabe, who chairs the School Committee, said the earmark can't be included in the budget, but has to go into a special revenue account, and he asked for a motion to return the budget figure to the original amount. Business Manager Shannon Barry said the district has received earmarks before, usually for capital expenses, and they come into a special revenue account in the School Department that is separate from the budget. Sullivan said he was a little confused. 'Obviously, everybody sitting here wants to know where that $250,000 will go. I guess that's the question I will ask.' McCabe said, to be crystal clear, the money that the committee should be voting on is the money for the general fund of the School Department. He also said he had no intention of using the earmark for anything other than the School Department, its intended purpose. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said they will take out $250,000 from items in the budget that qualify to be paid for by the earmark, and will instead use $250,000 elsewhere in the budget. 'We are moving that money,' Czaporowski said, adding that with $250,000, the School Department cannot restore all of the positions that people want restored, but the administrative team came up with some creative solutions. He said the district had previously planned to move literacy assistants to the libraries in the elementary schools. 'We would like to put back library [paraprofessionals] at four of the elementary schools, so literacy assistants can do their jobs,' he said, costing $110,000 of the available funds from the earmark. Czaporowski said one of the district priorities is to improve instructional practices with co-teaching models, which would have been heavily impacted by the reduction of two elementary coaches. He said they will restore the STEM and English language arts coaches at the elementary level with the other $140,000. 'I don't want to close the Children's Corner,' Czaporowski said, responding to the speakers earlier in the meeting. He said they have found a way to at least continue the work with child development, by working with the Career Center to place the high school students in the program in preschools in other elementary schools. He said if more Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative funds become available, they would also like to put preschool programs back in Westfield High School. When asked about the status of Chapter 74 cooperative education funds for the laboratory preschool at WHS, Czaporowski said the district looked at it before the pandemic. He said they were going to apply for a Skills Capital grant to get the equipment that would meet the Chapter 74 requirements, but COVID-19 came in 2019 and 2020, and they weren't able to go forward with the plan. 'What are the requirements from [the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education] to move it forward, does it need to be running?' asked Sullivan. Czaporowski said the program needs to be running to apply, and there are safety requirements such as eyewash stations, and a square footage requirement per preschooler. 'We would need a Skills Capital grant to do it,' he said, adding that the Children's Corner would have taken all of the earmark. 'I would love to add two CPPI classrooms and get them transferred into Chapter 74 programming. We came up with something, if the kids want to get that teaching experience,' he said. Sullivan said the program that he was advocating to restore, and for which he received many calls and emails, was the manufacturing job at Westfield Technical Academy. 'I think it needs to be laid on the table,' he said. Czaporowski said it was a matter of numbers; four teachers for only 42 students with 64 slots available. 'Right now, enrollment is low,' he said, adding that enrollment in Business Tech at WTA was so low they had to close the program. 'Instead, we applied for and received yesterday a business technology pathway for WHS,' he said. McCabe said one of the problems with Manufacturing Tech is a marketing problem. 'We have enlisted the help of a couple of mayors in the region to come up with some sort of innovative marketing,' he said, adding that he reached out to some of the professional manufacturing advocates that spoke at the public hearing in Westfield Middle School for help in promoting the program, and a meeting is planned for June 5. Jeffrey Gunther said he was grateful to Velis for the $250,000, but it does not solve the Chapter 70 problem. 'All of the advocacy; that work needs to continue to be a conversation. I hope that we're not waiting until March.' McCabe said last week he was at a state advisory committee meeting. 'All we talked about was Chapter 70, Chapter 74 and transportation expenses. The Senate has within its budget some remedies, but they will not come fast enough to take advantage of them. It's kind of around the clock that we're trying.' 'I don't think everyone understands the depth of what you're doing,' said Heather Sullivan. She said what she does see is people coming up with some kinds of solutions, such as placing the high school students studying early education in other preschools. 'I appreciate you coming to the table and doing these important decisions the best way you can,' she added. 'This year in particular we've had a lot of people advocating for their programs. Thank you for the voices that you've provided in support of your program. I know it's not easy to get up and speak in front of people. I thought everyone did a great job,' O'Connor said, adding that he would like to see student representation and input as new programs are developed. 'When you advocate, you should really be advocating to your senator and House representatives,' said McCabe. 'If your advocacy is going to be someplace, it should be with [the people] who created the issue.' Bo Sullivan said the $250,000 earmark was brought by everyone who contacted Velis. 'His quote was they came out in droves … It works, people listen. Especially him, he's been very responsive to his constituents.' 'I'm glad you're looking forward to positions that should be restored, especially when it comes to our students' reading. The Children's Center - I still hope those students can teach at other preschool programs. I think we really need to think about the students, which you have. Thank you,' said Kathleen Hillman. 'I appreciate the focus on literacy,' said O'Connor. The vote was then taken to approve the FY26 budget of $75,566,339, which passed unanimously. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet the 3 Harwich residents running for Monomoy Regional School Committee
When Harwich voters head to the polls for the annual town election on May 20, they will see three candidates on the ballot vying to join the Monomoy Regional School Committee. The committee only has one vacancy, according to the town website. Tina Games-Evans is not seeking another term. The Times asked the candidates for biographical information and answers to four questions, listed in alphabetical order by last name. AGE: 40 TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 16 Years WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Lieutenant Firefighter / EMT EDUCATION: Associate Degree in Fire Science; Bachelor Degree in Building Materials and Wood Technology CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Participate in annual town meetings; This is my first time running for a town committee The key strength of the Monomoy Regional School District is the amazing teachers and staff that work for the School District. As a parent, I am always in awe of the dedication from these teachers and staff, not only during school hours, but outside of school hours as well. From running after school clubs and events to showing up at a student's sporting event even when they don't personally have a child involved, our teachers and staff constantly go above and beyond to support our students. Another key strength is the knowledge and insight that the School Committee provides on every topic. When you add to that the steady leadership and guidance from Supt. Scott Carpenter, it creates a tight-knit team that always keeps the success of students in focus. While our School District is one of the best, a weakness that could be improved upon is communication with parents. The School District sends out weekly email updates, but when a parent has a question on a particular issue, it is sometimes difficult to get an answer. I personally ran into this with the Integrated Preschool Program for next year and other parents reportedly ran into this with questions regarding the air quality at the Middle School. The biggest issue that I want to address is updating the Monomoy Regional School District regional agreement. It was very clear from the joint meeting on this topic between Select Board representatives from Chatham and Harwich that the Harwich Select Board is not satisfied with the current funding formula while the Chatham Select Board does not want to make any changes to the current funding formula. We need to resolve this difference. The next issue that I want to address is finding a replacement for Supt. Carpenter who can lead the Monomoy Regional School District for years to come. Dr. Carpenter recently announced that he will be moving on from the school district after the next school year. We need find a new superintendent who can continue to build upon the strong foundation that currently exists in our school district. The third issue that I want to address is ensuring better communication between the School Committee and the Select Boards. At the meeting when School Committee was set to vote on the final budget, the Harwich Town Administrator delivered concerns on behalf of the Select Board regarding the FY26 Budget. These budget concerns should have been communicated much earlier in the process. I plan to address the regional agreement by working with the School Committee and the Select Boards from Chatham and Harwich to reach an updated agreement. I will advocate for creating a cap on the foundational enrollment funding formula. The exact number for this cap would need to be negotiated in order for all parties to sign off on it. Creating a cap would make the school district budget assessment for each town more predictable year over year. I plan to address the superintendent replacement by being an active participant in the search and interview process. I will advocate for the School Committee to assemble an Interview Committee that includes representatives from the School Committee, administration, teachers, and parents as well as Supt. Carpenter. This will allow all stakeholders to provide input when choosing the next superintendent. I plan to address the communication issue by serving as a School Committee liaison to the Select Board. I plan to notify the Select Board of the date and time of the Annual Budget Workshop and the Budget Public Hearing as well as provide other relevant updates. This would allow the Select Board to communicate concerns earlier on in the process. I have always been a numbers person. I believe that my ability to break down and organize data from presentations will make me a valuable member of the School Committee. I hope that the public watches my speeches regarding the Integrated Preschool Program during the public comments section of the January 9 and January 23, 2025, School Committee Meetings. This is the type of critical analysis that I plan to provide as a member of the School Committee. I will use my experience of serving on multiple interview committees at my workplace when deciding who to hire as the next superintendent. I understand that it is not always about hiring the most qualified candidate. Hiring a candidate who is the best fit for the school district will be equally if not more important than being the most qualified. I will also use my experience of serving on many negotiation committees at my workplace when discussing the regional agreement with the Select Board. I understand that negotiations are not about make one side feel like they won while the other lost, but rather compromise. I will help the Select Boards remain focused on the goal, which is to continue to provide the best school district for the students. AGE: 39 TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 8 years WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Public Works employee, Town of Chatham EDUCATION: High school graduate; attended Gateway Community College in New Haven, Connecticut CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Public Works employee for the town of Chatham; president of the Chatham Municipal Employee Association; Advocate for workers' rights in the Commonwealth Harwich is a town built and sustained by working people. From public employees and small business owners to teachers, tradespeople, and first responders, Harwich thrives because of its dedicated residents. These are people who take pride in their work, care deeply about their neighbors, and show up for one another in times of need. That sense of community, quiet resilience, and shared responsibility is what defines Harwich. It is a place where people support each other not for recognition but because it is the right thing to do. Harwich's beauty and character are unmatched. We are fortunate to have scenic beaches, peaceful ponds, and vast conservation areas. But our town is also rich in civic and cultural resources. Our libraries, parks, historical sites, and community center serve as gathering spaces that strengthen our connections and help us pass on our values. That said, Harwich is facing serious challenges. Housing is increasingly out of reach for the very people who keep the town functioning. The lack of affordable and workforce housing threatens the stability and identity of our community. This must be addressed to keep Harwich strong and inclusive. The first priority is advocating for more affordable healthcare options for Monomoy employees. Healthcare costs continue to rise, impacting both staff and taxpayers. A major driver of that increase is our region's current health care plan structure. While the Monomoy district has actively advocated for change, the town of Harwich has historically been underrepresented in these discussions. I believe Harwich should have a stronger voice in the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group to help ensure that the needs of our employees and the town's taxpayers are prioritized. Second, we need to make Harwich more livable for young working families. Expanding preschool and early childhood education, and exploring accessible summer programs, would support families, boost school enrollment, and help working parents stay in the workforce. These are investments in the long-term health of our community. Third, I want to ensure Monomoy maintains its strong reputation as a district that delivers high-quality education. That means continuing to support our educators, investing in effective programming, and listening to the needs of students and families so that Monomoy remains a source of pride in our region. To address the rising health care costs for Monomoy employees, I will work closely with the School Committee and town leaders to ensure that we are effectively advocating for the needs of school staff at the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group. I will push for better options that prioritize both affordability and quality coverage for our employees, with a focus on reducing the financial strain on families and the district. To make Harwich more livable for young working families, I will support initiatives that strengthen our local schools, like expanding preschool programs and exploring opportunities for summer enrichment. These programs provide valuable support for working parents and help young children develop the skills they need to succeed. I will also work to ensure that the School Committee is an active voice in broader community conversations about affordable housing, as stable housing is crucial for families looking to settle in our town and for sustainable educators and support staff to reliably be there for our children. Lastly, to maintain Monomoy's reputation as a top quality district, I will prioritize supporting our teachers and staff, advocating for necessary resources and professional development. I will also work to foster open communication between the School Committee, families, and the community to ensure that all students continue to receive a high-quality education in a supportive environment. I care deeply about this community. I care about our students, our educators, our families, and our future. That care comes from many places. I am a father to a Monomoy student. I am a year-round resident of Harwich. I work for the town of Chatham, our partner in this district, as a public works employee. My connection to this region is both personal and practical, and I understand what it means to serve. I have spent my time advocating for working people and speaking up for fairness. I believe that every person in our district deserves to be heard and respected, whether they are a teacher, a student, a school staff member, or a parent trying to give their child the best start in life. What I bring to the table is a commitment to listening, to learning, and to doing the work. I believe that all we truly have is each other. Serving on the School Committee is not about having all the answers, but about being present, being thoughtful, and standing up for what is right. If I am elected, I hope to earn this role by being someone my neighbors can trust and count on. NAME: Ann Marie Varella, aka Ms. V, and Colton or Cooper's mom. AGE: 51 TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 21 years WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Public School Educator/Program Director for Behavioral Health Innovators, Inc. EDUCATION: Master of Education in Mathematics, and Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Public School Educator for 25+ years, Service Learning Communications for my Church, Volunteering for the Family Table Collaborative, the Math & STEDLN Leader Networks from DESE, the Developing a Continuum of Services for Advanced Learning cohort from DESE, the Mass Learning Project, the One8 Applied Learning Hub, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Massachusetts, the Friends of Pleasant Bay and the Sipson Island Trust, the Programming and Computing Equity (PACE) and MIT Teaching Systems Lab team, the RootEd Consulting Team of Groveland, MA, Zero-L at Harvard Law School, Lesley University with Shell Education, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee for Monomoy Regional School District (MRSD) While Harwich is a beautiful community to live in with an incredible opportunity to participate in civic engagement through annual town meeting process, Harwich and the Monomoy Regional School District benefit from a number of key strengths, most notably the dedication and experience of the teachers and staff. Students in MRSD have access to a wide range of enriching opportunities—including sports, clubs, internships, and other extracurricular programs—many of which are made possible through the initiative and commitment of district personnel. Families also benefit from a strong, collaborative relationship between the administration and the Monomoy Regional School Committee. At the same time, there are areas where continued growth would strengthen the district. Transparency around accountability measures related to student achievement and instructional quality remains a priority. Additionally, there is potential to more effectively manage per-pupil spending and expand access to state and federal grant funding. Lastly, building and sustaining meaningful community partnerships represents an opportunity to enhance educational outcomes and support district-wide goals. One of my key priorities is to improve transparency within the community by sharing interim student performance data aligned to the standards and indicators required by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In addition to academic metrics, I believe it's essential to include qualitative feedback from educators, students, and families about their experiences with district procedures and initiatives. I also seek to promote greater fiscal responsibility across the Monomoy Regional School District. With a business degree from Bentley University, I understand the importance of balancing financial stewardship with educational priorities. During my 11 years of teaching at Peabody Elementary School in Cambridge, we emphasized transparency in budgeting and in the selection of professional development providers. By involving staff and families in decision-making aligned with student needs, we saw mathematics proficiency rise from 55% in 2012 to 72% in 2019. Finally, I believe in the power of community partnerships to enhance student learning. I actively support service learning initiatives and foster collaboration across schools and districts. These efforts not only deepen educational impact but also strengthen the broader network of support for students across Massachusetts. As an educator with 25 years of experience, I seek feedback from students, families, and colleagues to improve. To deepen this collaborative approach, I propose implementing a regular feedback cycle—soliciting input from students and families three times per year and from educators at both the mid-year and end-of-year points. This data is invaluable for making informed decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of all stakeholders. While I may not personally know every member of our school community, those who do know me understand how deeply I care about their voices and experiences. Regarding fiscal responsibility, MRSD's current per-pupil expenditures are 22% higher than the state average. This is an important opportunity to evaluate the return on investment, particularly by examining student outcome data. In previous roles, I've successfully secured grant funding. I would continue to support efforts to pursue additional external funding to support district-wide initiatives and professional development. Finally, I believe that cultivating and expanding community partnerships demonstrates the district's long-term commitment not only to student success, but also to the collective success of families and the broader community. These partnerships play a vital role in strengthening educational outcomes, expanding opportunities, and reinforcing the district's core values. My extensive background in educational leadership, combined with a deep commitment to supporting healthy youth development and community engagement, uniquely positions me to contribute meaningfully to the Monomoy Regional School District (MRSD) School Committee. I am driven by a desire for continuous growth—both personal and institutional—and I actively identify areas for improvement in partnership with community members to develop effective strategies. In previous roles, I have: (1) Fostered intellectually creative learning environments that promote authentic learning and improved communication of grade-level standards to students and families; (2) Supported educators in implementing evidence-based instructional practices and monitoring student progress; (3) Strengthened fiscal responsibility through the use of data-driven decision-making processes; (4) Facilitated professional development while enhancing community partnerships; (5) Collaborated extensively with school leaders and departments to lead professional learning communities focused on inclusivity and cultural responsiveness Building trusting relationships is a cornerstone of my leadership approach. I believe that psychological safety—where individuals feel free to take risks, make mistakes, and grow—is essential for real progress. I am motivated by meaningful collaboration, and I firmly believe that through shared engagement and intentional action planning, we can tackle the complex work necessary to achieve long-term success for all. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Harwich: Varella, Fortin and Edwards vie for Monomoy School Committee
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Great Pond sewer project moving forward after strong voter support at Falmouth polls
Falmouth voters at the May 20 town election approved a $60 million debt exclusion override to fund Phase 1 of the Great Pond sewer project — a major step toward improving water quality in one of the town's most environmentally degraded areas. Voters also chose from multiple candidates in races for the Select Board and School Committee, and representative town meeting members across the town's nine precincts. In all, 6,217 of the town's 28,233 registered voters, or about 22%, turned out for the election. The sewer project was also supported at the April town meeting, passing by a vote of 174-18. Because debt exclusion measures require approval both at town meeting and the election polls, the May 20 vote — 4,021 in favor, 1,501 opposed, according to as yet unofficial results — was an important final step. Even though the vote technically gives the town permission to exempt the borrowing from Proposition 2½ — a state law that limits towns from increasing taxes more than 2.5% each year without a vote — Assistant Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub previously explained that the town has carefully structured its borrowing to keep overall exempt debt steady, preventing a tax increase. The town is covering 30% of the costs, with the remaining 70% covered through betterment fees. Key funding sources include zero percent interest loans from the Massachusetts State Revolving Fund and 25% loan forgiveness from the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund. The remaining costs will be shared through betterments, with connected property owners covering 70% of applicable expenses. Betterments are expected to range from $27,000 to $40,000 per single-family equivalent, paid over 30 years at zero interest – roughly $900 to $1,3000 annually, depending on loan forgiveness. The sewer expansion will serve about 600 properties in a densely developed area near Great Pond, replacing septic systems that officials say are overloading the water body with nitrogen. Construction is expected to begin this fall and finish by fall 2027. The Select Board is finalizing how sewer equivalent units are assigned and how betterments are calculated for different property types. In the four-way race for two seats on the town's top governing board, incumbent Douglas Brown easily secured another term, receiving 4,481 votes, according to unofficial results. Joining him on the board for the next three years is Colin Reed, who garnered 3,005 votes. Richard McEvoy received 1,705 votes, and James Morse, 1,309 — leaving both candidates out of the running. Returning for his fourth term, lifelong Falmouth resident Brown brings many years of civic engagement and a working knowledge of town issues. As the president of the Cape and Islands Municipal Leaders Association, he also brings regional connections and leadership continuity. "I'm grateful to the voters of Falmouth for returning me to office for one more term. I look forward to the challenges ahead," Brown said. He said a top priority will be reviewing the capital improvement budget "to see where we can prioritize." He's also focused on replenishing the affordable housing fund and working with local housing officials and organizations on potential projects — particularly as the town completes an assessment of surplus property that could be used for affordable housing. Other priorities include meeting with the town's new coastal resiliency specialist to review a town vulnerability assessment, finding a site and designing a new police station, and evaluating whether the police force is adequately staffed for Falmouth's population. Housing is also a priority for Reed, who brings experience in public engagement from his work at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He's focused on evaluating zoning changes to allow more diverse and denser housing, and continuing investment in wastewater infrastructure to support that growth. "We need more housing for the extremely important service industry and middle-class workforce so that we can live, work and raise a family alongside our retired and vacationing friends and neighbors," he said during his campaign. The interrelated issues of housing and water infrastructure, he said, are complex, and it will be important for town leaders to work with staff "in exploring and defining the options and solutions that are best for the community." For Falmouth School Committee, three incumbents — Michael Heylin, Melissa Keefe, and Margaret Souza — retained their seats and will serve another three years. They faced three challengers: Sarah Bogdan, Jane Scarborough, and Amanda McGonigle. According to unofficial results, Keefe led the field with 2,975 votes, followed by Souza with 2,901 and Heylin with 2,594. Among the challengers, McGonigle received 2,541 votes, Bogdan 2,408, and Scarborough 2,402. Heylin returns to the board with a commitment to improving communications, prioritizing input from teachers, parents and students to ensure the school district better serves the community. Board veteran Keefe continues to serve with nearly a decade of experience, deep institutional knowledge, and a focus on fiscal responsibility. She is committed to managing school reconfiguration thoughtfully, supporting pre-K expansion, and addressing declining enrollment. Souza, a consistent presence at meetings and school events during her first term, continues to focus on helping the district address declining enrollment and manage budget challenges without harming students. She also aims to improve communication and build trust within the school community. Precinct-by-precinct town meeting member results are available on the town clerk's page accessible from the town website at Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable and Brewster. Reach her at hmccarron@ This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Falmouth incumbent retains Select Board seat. Here's who got elected.
