Lenox selects new school committee member

LENOX – Michael Moran has been named to the school committee. He will fill out the term until the next election in May.

Being forced to fill a vacancy on the school board, the selectmen and the school committee met to choose a new member on Tuesday.

There were three candidates that came forward: Mr. Moran, Chuck Kosher and Jody Schwab Prunier.

Mr. Moran received six votes from the 11 members present to push him over the top (five of which came from the school board), while the majority of selectman appeared to back Mr. Kosher.

“I think I bring several skills to the table,” Mr. Moran said. “Yet mostly I am looking for a way to give to back.”

Mr. Moran, whose wife is an employee of the school system, felt her employment would not be a factor in his ability to serve.

“I have always been very transparent and above board,” he said. “I would plan on be-ing involved but if that became a problem that the town manager or council saw I could step back in negotiations.”

Mr. Kosher, who had previously served on the Lenox School Committee, explained he wanted to return because of how much he had enjoyed being on the board, and he wanted to be an asset for the upcoming contract negotiations.

“I have been a part of four successful Unit A contract negotiations when I was on the board and I can offer that experience,” said Mr. Kosher. “Which right now there are no members of the board that have been through a major negotiation like these ones.”

“The issue of budget is key to any school, and contract negotiation is the major driver of that,” said Mr. Kosher.

Ms. Prunier came forward as a newcomer candidate, having only moved to the town three years ago. She looked to bring her experience as a mother, former parent teacher organization presi- dent and lawyer.

“I see the value in a strong public school system and I wish to help keep that going here,” she said.

Ms. Prunier explained while she is a fresh face to the committee, she has experience and has developed a good knowledge of the school system.

“I am very proud of what we did with the PTO, and I think it ran well,” said Ms. Prunier.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on September 13, 2012. Filed under Education News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry