Schools the Focus Of Election Day In Winchester

At first glance, Winchester's town election Tuesday lacks the hand-to-hand combat and passion of surrounding towns like Reading and Stoneham. But just because there are no races for moderator, selectmen, assessor, library board of trustee, and housing authority doesn't mean it isn't an important vote, especially if your interest is in Winchester's schools.

It starts with the School Committee race, where Brian Vernaglia, Karina Money, and Zeina Alame Marchant are competing for two seats currently held by outgoing members Chris Linskey and Cindy Bohne. The two winners will join the committee for three-year terms.

Nothing on the ballot may contain the importance of Question 1, an override of Prop 2 1/2 for the purpose of the McCall Middle School Expansion project. The $10.7 million debt-exclusion ballot question addresses a growing middle school population in town. If passed, the money would go to increasing classroom and cafeteria space, add a teacher work/meeting room, add athletic team rooms along with public restrooms, and fund a traffic study. The project would be completed by 2020. Phase 1 of the project is already underway. Phase 2 is dependent on the override passing.

While Question 2 doesn't have near the importance of Question 1, Winchester voters still get their say. Boards of Selectmen across the state are scrambling to change their name to some more gender-neutral title. Reading is considering Executive Board, Wakefield is Town Counsel, and Stoneham is in the Select Board camp. In Winchester, voters will be asked to approved a change to Select Board. The 2017 Fall Town Meeting already approved the change. Now it's up the voters.

There are ovals to fill on the ballot. The Planning Board has two openings and three are running, Anthony R. Conte, Elizabeth M. Cregger, and Maureen I. Meister. Running unopposed are Peter J. Haley (moderator), Paul Manganaro (assessor), Shannon Rogan Bottari (Board of Health), Jane A. Murray (Library Board of Trustees), and Stephen Carr Anderson (Housing Authority). Various precinct town meeting members will also be decided.