Application Available to Fill Open School Committee Seat

At its recent meeting, the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen voted to post the application to fill the open School Committee position left vacant by the resignation of former member Lisa Puccia in mid April.

In her letter of resignation, Puccia cited the recent data breach by the school district of its out of district special education student information, as a reason she feels she can’t fulfill her role on the School Committee. Puccia’s child’s information was included in that list published online.

Her resignation comes just two weeks after Tewksbury Superintendent of Schools John O’Connor apologized to outraged parents after private student data was was posted online. The special education student information was posted online earlier in the month, much of which was information contained in a document included in a 222-page School Committee packet.

Selectmen are still considering how to fill the post including a special election and a joint meeting between School Committee members and selectmen, according to the Tewksbury Town Crier.

The open School Committee seat expires April 2, 2016 and anyone interested in applying can fill out the application online. Completed applications can be emailed to Teresa Belanger at tbelanger@tewksbury-ma.gov. They can also be mailed or hand delivered to the Town of Tewksbury’s Temporary Town Hall, 464 Main St., Tewksbury.

Applications for the remainder of the term must be received by May 15, 2015 at noon and all applicants should be available to attend a Board of Selectmen’s meeting on the evening of May 19, 2015 or at a later date to be determined.