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School Committee

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

'Typical' Turnout Predicted in Tuesday's Town Elections

Wakefield Town Clerk Mary K. Galvin said turnout for today's town elections is expected to be around 25 percent, typical for a town-only election.

About 25 percent of registered voters are expected to vote in today's election, according to Wakefield Town Clerk Mary Galvin. That number is "typical" of town-only elections, she said. "Turnout is difficult to predict," she said. "It's a nice day, so I hope we do better than that." Only two races are contested this year: The Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. Five candidates, Phyllis Hull, Greg Liakos, Phillip Renzullo, Paul DiNocco and Brian Falvey, are running for one of two seats on the Board of Selectmen. Three candidates, Kate Morgan, Janine Cook, and John Bengtson, are hoping to land one of the two seats on the School Committee. For more information in each of the candidates, see the Board of Selectman Election Cheat Sheet…

What's Up, Wakefield?

5 Things to Know about Today's Election

See a copy of the ballot, find your polling place, and more helpful voter information.

For all Wakefield residents planning to vote in the April 24, 2012 election, here is what you need to know. Precincts 1 and 7 — Wakefield/Lynnfield Masonic Lodge, 372 Salem St. Precincts 2 and 3 — Crystal Community Club, 71 Preston St. Precinct 4 — Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Precincts 5 and 6 — West Side Social Club, 4 Harrington Ct. Type in your address here to see your exact polling place. See the attached .pdf for a copy of the ballot. Board of Selectmen: Incumbent Paul DiNocco is challenged by Brian Falvey, Phyllis Hull, Phillip Renzulo, and Gregory Liakos. For more on each candidate's positions on various topics, refer to the Election 2012 Cheat Sheet - Board of Selectmen School Committee: Three candidates, Janine …

Friday, April 20, 2012

One Stop Election Info: School Committee Candidates

Find out what you need to know about each candidate to make a decision for the April 24th town elections.

The 2012 Wakefield Town Elections take place on April 24, 2012. Do you know who you're voting for yet? If you haven't decided yet, here's a useful roundup of information about each of the three candidates in the School Committee race, listed in alphabetical order by last name: John Bengtson, Janine Cook, Kate Morgan. Click each link below to find out more. But first, read a recap of the WCAT Candidate's Debate, or read the questions in our election candidates Q&A series: John Bengtson  "I can promise to conduct myself professionally and will respect and welcome the ideas of others. I will act strategically and in line with the interests of the entire Wakefield community. Today we stand at a pivotal crossroad, and we will stand to gain …

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Letter: Cook Would Bring Passion, Commitment As School Committee Member

Wakefield resident Laurie Hunt writes about why she's voting for Janine Cook for School Committee.

Dear editor, Why do I feel Janine Cook would be a great addition to Wakefield School Committee? I would describe Janine as informed, loyal, committed, passionate, never afraid to speak her mind and exactly the type of person you would want in your corner. I know Janine fully understands the commitment involved serving on the Wakefield School Committee and I also know she would do an outstanding job.  Janine has proven herself to be hard working and have excellent follow-through with the incredible amount of experience she has working as a volunteer in our schools and community.  This work has also left her with a vast knowledge of the issues our schools are facing. Janine has been giving to our community for many years and we would be …

Scott miller

6:20 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Believe it or not, there are personal agenda's. I see many friends on here of mrs cook, but let's face it, the proof will be in the pudding coming the new school year. Talks already about curriculum changes that affects our children for the worst, talk about failing our children. She's not the right person for the job, the school committee NEEDs people without agenda's like Mrs cook   more ›

Letter: Morgan Wants to Give Back to Community That Shaped Her

Wakefield resident Elaine Manley writes a letter in support of Kate Morgan for School Committee.

Dear Editor, I have known Kate her entire life. I have watched her grow into a remarkable young woman with an unmatched passion for Wakefield. I think as a town we are very lucky to have someone like Kate who wants to be part of the School Committee. A lot of people who grew up in Wakefield have moved on to different communities. Kate has always known that after graduating from Saint Anselm College she wanted to come right back here to the community that helped shape who she is. She has been active in the Wakefield High Alumni Association and is currently serving as Secretary; she is also serving on the Board of Registrars. Now it is her time to contribute even more. I can’t go into a coffee shop with Kate or walk down Main Street without …

School Committee Candidates Q&A: Why Are You Running for School Committee?

In this special town election series, candidates for the Wakefield School Committee will answer a series of questions over the next two weeks, leading up to the April 24 election.

In the 2012 Wakefield town elections, three candidates vie for two open seats in the School Committee race, with no incumbents seeking re-election. The three candidates are Kate Morgan, John Bengston, and Janine Cook.  Over the next two weeks, Wakefield Patch will be running each candidate's answer to three questions, presented side-by-side. Answers have not been edited or modified by Wakefield Patch, except for format. Answers that exceeded the allowed 300 word word count were cut off at 300 per previous instructions to candidates. Question: What's your one-minute life story, and why are you running for the School Committee? John Bengston: Although I was raised in Lynnfield, I have strong family ties to Wakefield. Both my grandfather and …

John Bengtson

8:24 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012

For any organization that relies on donations to stay active, there's no such thing as enough donations. Provided that there were no strings attached to the donation, I would continue my find raising activities to their scheduled end. I work for Stop & Shop who run two major fund raisers ever year, the Jimmy Fund in the Spring where customer's can purchase a lottery style scratch ticket and the …   more ›

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Letter: In Support of Janine Cook for School Committee

Maura Racamato speaks up for School Committee candidate Janine Cook.

To the editor, I commend all of the candidates who are running for a position in community service. Those who selflessly give their time and efforts to help better our community are the reason our town is a great place to live. And while I believe all have something to offer, I believe the strongest candidate for School Committee is Janine Cook.  Janine has many years of community service within the schools and community. I first met Janine Cook (more than 10 years ago) when she volunteered for the Arts Enrichment Council and ultimately took on the role of chairperson. She used her organizational skills, keen budgeting and effective coordinating with teachers, principal and PTO’s to bring programs to our schools through donations and …

School Committee Candidates Q&A: Would You Vote 'Yes' or "No' for a New Galvin Middle School?

In this special town election series, candidates for the Wakefield School Committee will answer a series of questions over the next two weeks, leading up to the April 24 election.

In the 2012 Wakefield town elections, three candidates vie for two open seats in the School Committee race, with no incumbents seeking re-election. The three candidates are Kate Morgan, John Bengston, and Janine Cook.  Over the next two weeks, Wakefield Patch will be running each candidate's answer to three questions, presented side-by-side. Answers have not been edited or modified by Wakefield Patch, except for format. Answers that exceeded the allowed 300 word word count were cut off at 300 per previous instructions to candidates. Question: What's your stance on the Galvin Middle School Project? Would you vote "yes" or "no" for a debt exclusion to pay for a new middle school, and what do you believe is the best choice for Wakefield? Why…

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

School Committee Candidates Q&A: Biggest Issues Facing Schools, and How to Address Them?

In this special town election series, candidates for the Wakefield School Committee will answer a series of questions over the next two weeks, leading up to the April 24 election.

In the 2012 Wakefield town elections, three candidates vie for two open seats in the School Committee race, with no incumbents seeking re-election. The three candidates are Kate Morgan, John Bengston, and Janine Cook.  Over the next two weeks, Wakefield Patch will be running each candidate's answer to three questions, presented side-by-side. Answers have not been edited or modified by Wakefield Patch, except for format. Answers that exceeded the allowed 300 word word count were cut off at 300 per previous instructions to candidates. Question: What do you see as the biggest issues or problems facing Wakefield Public Schools in the next three years, and what would you do to address them? Kate Morgan: The biggest issue facing Wakefield public…

erin cook

12:18 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012

first off, I COMPLETELY disagree with the statements given by Ms. Butler and Ms. Manley. During the debate, Janine was the only canidate who stated the truth about the school. the technology is horrible and i know that because I AM a student. out of all three canidates, she is the only one who has kids that have gone through the whole school system (graduating this june). she is the person who …   more ›

Thursday, March 29, 2012

School Committee Debate: All For a New Galvin

The three candidates for the school committee went head to head on Wednesday night in a live televised debate.

Talk of the proposed new Galvin Middle school most heavily dominated the conversation at the Wakefield Community Access Television School Committee live debate on Wednesday night. All three candidates stated again and again that a new Galvin Middle School is desparately needed. "If [the school] fails, the town fails," said candidate John Bengtson. "We have to get this done." "The current Galvin Middle School is not fair to students," said candidate Janine Iengo-Cook.. "There's mold, odor -- it's not a healthy environment. It needs to be fixed." Candidate Kate Morgan agreed. "We owe it to the the students to repair the school," she said. "It's the only option." Another area of agreement was in the area of fostering 21st Century learning. …

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