The Chelsea Schools face another challenging election cycle as two incumbent School Committee members failed to collect sufficient signatures by the deadline and will be absent from the November ballot. This recurring problem continues to plague the Committee during each election season.
Ana Hernandez, representing District 6, and Charles Klauder, representing District 7, did not gather the required number of qualified signatures before the cutoff date last week. As a result, neither will appear on the November ballot.
This troubling pattern has repeated itself many times since the U.S. Justice Department mandated approximately 10 years ago that the Schools reorganize the Committee into districts.
Klauder received an appointment in 2012 following the previous election when the actual District 7 winner—a write-in candidate—chose not to take office.
Attempts to reach Hernandez and Klauder for comment were unsuccessful, though sources within local political circles suggested that Hernandez would probably pursue a sticker campaign.
City Manager Jay Ash stated that should neither district produce a successful write-in candidate, he will hold hearings before the City Council to consider applicants for appointment.
Given the apparent lack of interest in these positions, Ash has previously explored alternatives such as transitioning to an appointed committee or establishing a hybrid model combining appointed and elected members. The current situation will probably reignite these discussions among Ash, the Schools, and the City Council.
The absurdity of the situation became apparent years ago when License Commission member Jim Dwyer won his Committee district seat with a single vote—his own.
This election cycle presents no contested races for any of the School Committee district seats.
However, one competitive race exists for the at-large position.
Incumbent Angel Meza will face newcomer Shawn O’Regan in that contest.
The following candidates have qualified for the ballot:
• Rosemarie Carlisle, District 1
• Jeanette Velez, District 2
• Carlos J. Rodriguez, District 3
• Lucia Colon, District 4
• Lisa Lineweaver, District 5
• District 6, no candidate filed
• District 7, no candidate filed
• Edward Ells, District 8
• Shawn O’Regan, at-Large
• Angel Meza, at-Large