Vacancy In Natick School Committee Spot From Tabenkin Resignation

NATICK, MA — Natick's School Committee is working to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of member and former chair, Lisa Tabenkin. The resignation goes into effect on June 7 — Tabenkin had two years left on her term.

She served two terms as the committee's chairwoman but told the Natick Bulletin and Tab that she wanted to go back to working full time and spend time with family.

Her time as chairwoman overlapped with two major legal battles the committee was faced with and lost. The first being when a judge ruled the committee's public speak rule violated free speech rights. A settlement in the case was reached in January and a new public speak policy was adopted. The district paid the American Civil Liberties Union $40,000 for legal fees.

The second incident was last month when the Attorney General charged the committee with 14 violations of the state's open meeting law. Healey said the violations were discovered after Wellesley resident Ron Alexander filed over 600 complaints about the committee this year between March and October 2018.

Tabenkin told the Natick Bulletin and Tab the violations had nothing to do with her resignation.

Tabenkin was on the committee and helped appoint Natick Superintendent Anna Nolin after former Superintendent Peter Sanchioni resigned in February 2018.

The School Committee is accepting letters of interest for the position and resumes until 12 p.m. on June 7. All candidates have to be registered voters in Natick. On June 24, the Board of Selectmen will hold a joint meeting with the School Committee to interview candidates.

Anyone interested in the position can email Natick School Committee Chair Julie McDonough: jmcdonough@natickps.org.