Who Will Be the Brookline School Committee's New Face?

BROOKLINE - Now that elections are over and Michael Glover, Suzanne Federspiel and Julie Schreiner-Oldham have officially taken their seats at the School Committee table, there's another question to settle. Who is going to lead the School Committee into the next two years of business? The answer was decided tonight: David Pollak and Michael Glover.

The School Committee unanimously elected Pollak to fill the role of chairman of the School Committee. He was previously the vice chairman of the committee.

"It is with humility and excitement that I take up this role, and what an opportunity to learn and grow," said Pollak after Superintendent Andrew Bott handed him the gavel.

Ditkoff cited progress Pollak made during his tenure as the Chairman of the capital subcommittee: a new enrollment report, a report on the state of buildings, selecting a site and the process for ninth school, and a new BEEP. She also attributed his work to helping what she called the biggest project in Brookline School Committee history - the Devotion School renovation - with being on time and on budget.

She also noted his sense of humor.

Glover was elected as vice chairman of the committee. Ben Chang nominated him citing his insight and his ability to listen and bridge divides. Charlupski noted his thoughtful questions. "He's really been great to work with," she said.

The current School Committee Chairwoman Susan Wolf Ditkoff says she's out of the running. She served her two years and then stayed on an extra year when the committee asked her to and voted on it after the old superintendent resigned suddenly last year. Ditkoff said she abstained on that vote. Fun fact? Ditkoff said the last chair to be asked to serve a third year was when incoming Bill Lupini joined the district.

"I'm delighted to return to plain old Committee membership," she said in a text to the Brookline Patch.

Tune in tonight to see who gets elected to be the face of the School Committee.

Once that's settled the new chairperson will lead the open meeting and they'll hear the Proposal for an Early Childhood Building at 127 Harvard Street - the one that a very generous Brookline resident - one who happens to own Finagle a Bagel - just donated.

Also on the agenda is a closed executive session to discuss anticipated litigation strategy pertaining to the proposed 9th Elementary School at Baldwin and something about collective bargaining with the Brookline Educators Union.

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