Not even the lights going out (3hr 34min mark) could stop last nights School Committee meeting from going the distance. At the very end of the almost 4 hour long meeting was their fiscal year end reorganization. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski took over the gavel from the current chair, Shawn Brandt and opened up nominations for a new chair.
First up was Charles Robinson nominating Tom Wise followed by Sarah McLaughlin nominating Shawn Brandt. With no other nominations, Dr. Milaschewski closed out the round and went to discussion on the two nominations from the committee:
I think our committee is highly functional at this point, I’m not terribly concerned about the outcome of this and I have been in years past frankly.
Shawn Brandt
Tom Wise agreed with Shawn and said “what he (Shawn) said, whatever happens happens.
We have both done a good job in the role, either one of us can keep us moving, anyone at this table can keep us moving, we’re a team.
Tom Wise
I’ve been happy how the committee has run for the past 2 years. I think we’ve all been working together to do with what’s best for the district. I’d be happy with either one of you.
Carla Nazzaro
I think we all fell similarly, that you are both positive outcomes so this is hard vote to take.
Erin Gaffen
In response to Erin’s comments, Shawn said “why don’t I make it easy, we’ll let Tom have a turn. Whatever weirdness that happens in the next minute will be more destructive then anything else.” Sarah then mentioned that “she wished they could do a combination vote, with a balance of having different viewpoints of the chair and vice, she appreciated that it’s a representative of the different points of view and groups in town and it’s been a real benefit.”
And with that, the roll call vote for chair was 6-0 for Tom Wise. Next up was the nominations for vice-chair. Shawn nominated Erin, who ended up being the sole nomination on the night. A roll call vote netted the same 6-0 result for Erin as the new vice-chair. The School Committee then adjourned at 10:45pm.
