WAKEFIELD — Political newcomer Rob Tiro, a senior at Holy Cross, is a new member of the School Committee.
In yesterday’s annual municipal voting, Tiro and incumbent Kathryn Morgan won the two school board seats up for election. Incumbent Janine Cook finished out of the running by 140 votes.
Tiro, who turned out to be an impressive fundraiser in his successful first try at local office, said this morning, “First of all, I want to thank Ms. Cook for her three years of service on the Wakefield School Committee. I am so honored and grateful that Wakefield has chosen me to help lead our schools. I am excited to get to work with Dr. Zrike, Ms. Morgan and the rest of my new colleagues.”
Cook, a Jessica Lane resident who has served the past three years on the School Committee, commented, “I would like to thank the voters in Wakefield for giving me the opportunity to serve three years on the School Committee. I hope we will be able to continue to move Wakefield schools forward.”
Morgan, who topped the School Committee race ticket with 1,148 votes, said she wants to do the same thing.
“I am humbled by the support I received in the community. This was a great race, it was really close and hard fought. I’d like to thank Janine Cook for all she’s done over the past three years and I look forward to working with Rob Tiro. The School Department is on an upward swing and I am happy that I will now continue to work with the School Committee, with the School Department and with the superintendent to improve our school system. We have accomplished some good things these past three years and we will continue to do so.”
In the only other contested race in the 2015 town election, incumbent Matthew Lowry was elected to a five year Planning Board term, besting Harvard Road’s Dennis Cloherty 921 to 580. Lowry currently serves as Planning Board chairman.
Yesterday’s turnout was a little better than predicted — but not by much. Of the town’s 17,460 registered voters, only 1,825 cast ballots, good for 10.5 percent participation.
