By BOB BURGESS

WAKEFIELD — There’s a chance the April 28 town election could actually see a contested race for School Committee after College of the Holy Cross senior Robert Tiro of Collette Road pulled nomination papers this week for one of two three-year terms to be decided this spring.

Tiro joins incumbents Janine Iengo-Cook and Kathryn Day Morgan as School Committee hopefuls. The race does not really become official until everyone returns their nomination papers with the correct number of valid signatures and addresses of registered Wakefield voters.

In his campaign announcement running inside today’s paper, Tiro — who comes from a family of educators — said he “is particularly concerned with the fact that Wakefield is currently not receiving their fair share of Chapter 70 local aid funding from the state. Wakefield is currently receiving less than neighboring communities and this is placing students at a disadvantage.

“‘There is no reason the students of Wakefield should not be receiving the same levels of state funding that students in surrounding communities receive. I am committed to advocating for the fair share of state funding that our schools rightfully deserve. This will benefit our students, parents, teachers and taxpayers.’”

He also said “decisions made about Wakefield schools should be made locally. Decisions about matters affecting our students should be made by those closest to them – the parents, the teachers and the taxpayers of Wakefield.

“‘It’s Wakefield’s money, Wakefield’s schools and Wakefield’s students. Year after year, more and more unfunded mandates are unfairly imposed on our schools and the taxpayers of Wakefield are continually forced to pick up the tab. These costly, insensitive mandates continue to put an ever-increasing burden on our community, and place an unsustainable strain on our educational and financial resources. At some point, it simply needs to stop. The effort to end this constant flow of mandates requires strong advocates at the local level and I will commit to being just that as a member of the Wakefield School Committee.’”

Tiro was recently named to the fall dean’s list at Holy Cross, where he is majoring in Political Science and Pre-Law.

Tiro pulled papers Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Also taking out nomination papers Wednesday was another new face to town politics. Yue Ren, 248 Albion St., wants to run a three-year term on the Board of Library Trustees. He joins incumbents Cindy A. Schatz and Kevin Patrick Scanlon in seeking one of three spots up for election in April.

As of this morning, there was no one running for a five-year term on the Wakefield Housing Authority or for the five-year seat on the Planning Board.

Fifty valid registered voters’ signatures and addresses of Wakefield residents are required for the nomination papers to pass muster.

Following are some key dates for those thinking about running for office:

• FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

Nomination papers are available during regular Town Clerk office hours.

• FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Last day to obtain nomination papers. Town Clerk’s Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day.

• TUESDAY, MARCH 10

Last day to submit nomination papers to Registrars of Voters for certification. Fifty valid registered voters’ signatures and addresses of Wakefield residents required.

• TUESDAY, MARCH 24

Last day to file nomination papers with Town Clerk. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• THURSDAY, MARCH 26

Last day to object to, or withdraw nomination papers. Town Clerk’s Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• TUESDAY, APRIL 28

Annual Town Election

Voter registration deadline: Wednesday, April 8, Town Clerk’s Office, Town Hall, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is the final day to register to be eligible to vote in the Annual Town Election and the May 4 Annual Town Meeting.

SEATS UP FOR ELECTION

Board of Selectmen: Two three year terms. Paul DiNocco of 17 Wiley St. took out nomination papers for reelection Jan. 2. Brian E. Falvey, 70 Andrews Rd., took out papers Jan. 5.

Tax Collector: One three year term. Incumbent Kathleen Kelly, 21 Bryant St., took out papers Jan. 2.

Moderator: One one year term. William Harbison Carroll, 48 Forest St., pulled nomination papers for reelection Jan. 7.

School Committee: Two three year terms. Janine Iengo Cook, 6 Jessica Ln., took out nomination papers for reelection Jan. 2. Fellow incumbent Kathryn D. Morgan, 42 Wave Ave., also took out papers for reelection Jan. 2. Robert A.E. Tiro, 15 Collette Rd., pulled papers for nomination on Feb. 18.

Library Trustees: Three three year terms. Cindy A. Schatz, 8 Cordis St., took out nomination papers Jan. 5. Kevin Patrick Scanlon took out nomination papers Jan. 29. Yue Ren, 248 Albion St., pulled nomination papers Feb. 18.

Planning Board: One three year term. Christopher J. Fowlie took out nomination papers Jan. 12.

Planning Board: One five year term.

Board of Health: One three year term. Incumbent Laurel Skinder Gourville took out nomination papers for reelection Jan. 13.

Board of Assessors: One three year term. Jane A. D’Addario took out nomination papers Jan. 15.

Gas and Light Commissioner: Two three year terms. Incumbent Kenneth J. Chase Jr. took out nomination papers for reelection Jan. 7.

Wakefield Housing Authority: One five year term