Milne Won't Run For Burlington School Committee

BURLINGTON, MA -- The upstart candidate that ran a last-minute, write-in campaign to challenge Burlington School Committee member Martha Simon in last year's town election said she will not run in the race this year. Instead, Kim Milne plans to run for town meeting member from precinct seven. Milne said she "agonized" over the decision for several months but ultimately decided she did not have enough time to commit fully to the position.

"Although I wholeheartedly believe the need for change is upon us, unfortunately, I am not in the position to lead the change. Being a member of the School Committee takes a great deal of time and commitment," Milne said. "Due to future travel obligations within my business, planning a wedding this coming year and of course most importantly, seizing every moment to spend quality time with my daughters and participating in their many extracurricular activities, I believe I will not have the amount of time required to bring about the change we are in so desperate need of."

Despite jumping into the race on the morning of the election, Milne managed to get 260 votes to Simon's 1,276. Simon got the fewest votes of all incumbents listed as running unopposed on last year's ballot.

Leading up to last year's election, Simon and the other members of the school committee had largely adopted a position to move forward and not discipline staff after a string of reviews reviewed lax financial oversight. That, coupled with the abrupt resignation of the district's special education director and the poorer-than-expected results on state standardized tests, had some parents questioning the status quo of the district's administration.

Milne moved to Burlington in 2015 and has been active with the PTO and coaching youth sports.

"I unequivocally love this town and all it has to offer. It is my desire to be a part of the decision-making process that has led us to where we are and help plan for our future," she said of her plans to run for town meeting.

As of Thursday morning, school committee members Christine Monaco and Thomas Murphy, who are both up for reelection, had both taken out nomination papers. They may have a challenger: Sonia Haleem of Lexington Street has taken out nomination papers, setting up a potential three-way race for the two seats up for reelection on the school committee.

"It is my sincere hope that a qualified candidate will step forward to oppose the incumbents for their seats," Milne said. "If this happens, I will support them and do what I can to help them triumph in their campaign."

Election Update

Are you running for office in Burlington on April 6? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Burlington Patch.

Candidates have until 5 pm on Feb. 13 to return nomination papers with signatures from 50 registered Burlington voters to have their name included on the ballot.

Nicholas Priest, who unsuccessfully ran for Burlington Board of Selectmen last year, will try again in the town election on April 6. Priest has not only withdrawn nomination papers, but he was the first to return them with the 50 signatures needed to be included on the ballot, according to the town clerk's office. Incumbents Robert C. Hogan and Christopher Hartling have both taken out nomination papers, signaling they will run for reelection.

Moderator Bill Beyer and Planning Board Vice Chair Carol A. Perna have also taken out nomination papers. The complete list of positions up for reelection in this year's election includes:

• Moderator (1 yr) (1 seat)
• Selectmen (3 yr) (2 seats)
• Treasurer/Collector (3 yr) (1 seat)
• School Committee (3 yr) (2 seats)
• Library Trustees (3 yr) (2 seats)
• Library Trustees (1 yr) (1 seat)
• Planning Board (5 yr) (1 seat)
• Board of Health (3 yr) (2 seats)
• Constable (3 yr) (2 seats)
• Housing Authority (5 yr) (1 seat)
• Recreation Commission (3 yr) (1 seat)
• Precinct 1 TMM (3 yr) (6 seats)
• Precinct 2 TMM (3 yr) (6 seats)
• Precinct 2 TMM (1 yr) (2 seats)
• Precinct 3 TMM (3 yr) (6 seats)
• Precinct 4 TMM (3 yr) (6 seats)
• Precinct 4 TMM (2 yr) (1 seat)
• Precinct 5 TMM (3 yr) (6 seats)
• Precinct 6 TMM (3 yr) (6 seats)
• Precinct 7 TMM (3 yr) (6 seats)

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Patch file photo of Kim Milne.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).