Voters pick Markham, Fontanella and Colleran for School Committee

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — Many of those who vowed a year ago to “remember the Warrior” at the next Town Election apparently forgot, as incumbent School Committee member and Warrior logo supporter Ami Wall was defeated yesterday and other critics of the School Department’s logo and masking policies also went down to defeat in yesterday’s Town Election.

Of the seven candidates running for School Committee, the three professional educators on the ballot were the voters’ top choices and the winners in yesterday’s Town Election.

Incumbent Thomas F. Markham III topped the School Committee race with 1,822 votes. Kevin Fontanella, a Saugus teacher, finished two votes behind Markham with 1,820 votes. Picking up the third seat was Eileen Colleran, also a teacher by profession, with 1,750 votes.

Incumbent Ami Wall finished just out of the running with 1,431 votes. Gregory Spry finished fifth with 918 votes, followed by Carmen Sorrentino with 718 and Alexandra Makarewicz with 695 votes.

After the election, the winners shared their thoughts on the set of WCAT’s Election Night Show.

Markham, who has served on the School Committee since 2010, said that these are “challenging times for schools and diverse points of view are important, but so is experience. There is a lot to do.” Markham said that he represents that experience and comes to meetings prepared and having done his homework.

“I’m honored and humbled to be re-elected and I pledge to work really hard for the next three years,” Markham said.

Fontanella expressed his appreciation to the voters.

“I didn’t think I’d get that many votes,” he admitted.

As to his reasons for running, Fontanella said, “I have two kids at the Dolbeare School so I want to make sure the school system is in good stead.”

He said that schools everywhere are in a tough spot after COVID and must meet the challenge of addressing the learning loss that has occurred as a result to the pandemic.

Fontanella said that he enjoyed going door-to-door and meeting people and would respond to citizens’ phone calls and emails.

Colleran said that she grew up in a household that encouraged being involved and said that she had been thinking of running for public office for some time. “I believe change happens at the local level first and then branches out,” she said. “This is where you can make the biggest difference.

She added that the new high school project is “so important” and she is excited to help move it forward.