Lexington’s School Committee Election Results

From overseeing the school system to reviewing educational goals, school committee members play numerous important roles, all of which are very relevant to students at LHS. This year, three candidates ran for two available seats on Lexington’s school committee: incumbent Eileen Jay and newcomers Larry Freeman and Salvador Jaramillo.

After each candidate shared their hopes for Lexington’s school system for the whole month of February, twenty percent of the town’s 22,696 registered voters ended up going to the polls. As of March 7, the results are in: with 3,957 and 3,526 votes respectively, Larry Freeman and Eileen Jay will be serving on the school committee.

“I am very grateful for the confidence and support of the community to allow me to continue for another term. I love this work and am really excited to be able to work with colleagues and the LPS community to serve our students” Jay commented to Wicked Local News.

Jay has been a school committee member for six years, including two years as Chair and two years as Vice-Chair. Some of her priorities include creating a “culturally responsive curriculum” that represents all backgrounds, addressing needs for the high school building, and adapting to respond to higher rates of enrollment.

Freeman also hopes to bring support to the town with his new perspective.

“I am honored to be elected Lexington’s newest School Committee member… As we continue through these unprecedented times, we must continue to advocate for all of our students” Freeman tweeted. 

Although Freeman is new to the school committee, he has experience as part of the PTOs at Harrington and Clarke. He has also been Co-chair of the Lexington Public Schools School Health Advisory Council and a board member of LexPride. Similar to Jay, he seeks to diversify Lexington’s curriculum, and he’s additionally interested in better special education and mental health services.

“Congrats to all! Great respect and admiration for all who run for public office” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Julie Hackett tweeted shortly after the election. “No matter the outcome, you make us better; you make a difference.”

Voter turnout is usually not very high for local elections, but voters seem to be recognizing the importance of the school committee and voting in Lexington elections. With the uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic and the town’s evolving demographics, voters hope to see dedicated planning and hard work from the elected school committee members.

by MAHI MIRCHANDANI