Town Election To Bring Danvers School Committee Transition

DANVERS, MA — Next week's annual Danvers town election will bring a significant turnover to the School Committee with Chair Robin Doherty and Alice Campbell both not running for re-election after one three-year term each.

Campbell and Doherty both attended the final School Committee meeting as elected members on Monday and reflected on their time during a stretch of significant upheaval in the district — including the fallout from a hazing scandal involving the high school hockey program, a series of antisemitic and racial incidents of hate and bias at the schools and in the town, the emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, the search for and hiring of a new superintendent and the battle for new funding for special education.

Michael Shannon and Sean Doherty are the two candidates running for the two open positions in the May 7 election.

"My personal motivation for running was never ego-driven or agenda-driven," Campbell said. "I really just did it for my kids. I am amazed at what has been accomplished over the past three years. ... We don't always have to agree on everything but we do respect each other. We have so much positive momentum in this district."

"I feel like we are in such a much better space than we were three years ago. I am not taking credit for it. Nor will Robin. I know it was a team effort to get to where we are. As the new members come on I really want to encourage the community to go and ask questions. Stay involved. Engage with the candidates before the (election) — I know it's not a competitive campaign — but I can't stress enough how important this position is to our town.

"I hope the two new members don't come in with personal agendas or have egos. And they really allow themselves to learn and engage with the whole community. It's their responsibility."

Doherty said it was an honor for her to serve her hometown and that she is proud of the Committee's accomplishments over the past three years.

"Before I leave I would also just like to add a comment on (politics)," she said. "I know it's unfortunate that we live in a politically charged world right now. But just remember that sometimes politics do make their way into the schools. And I would like to remind and caution the Committee that politics do not belong in the classroom.

"No one's personal agenda should infiltrate the School Committee."

The two townwide elected positions that are contested in the upcoming election are for Select Board and Library Board of Trustees.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)