Town Election 2023: School Committee members and challengers will share their education views at a candidates’ forum next week

Current School Committee Chair Vincent A. Serino drew the first name on the ballot in the upcoming town election set for Nov. 7. Former School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge, who resigned from the committee early in his second term last year to spend more time with his children after his wife had died, drew the last of seven positions on the election ballot for the five School Committee seats. Whittredge has been the top vote-getter among School Committee candidates in the last two town elections. Serino and Whittredge, who held the leadership positions on the School Committee over the past four years consecutively, are expected to share their views on the future of the town’s public education system at a School Committee candidates’ forum set for a live broadcast on Saugus TV Channel 9 at 6 p.m. next Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Also invited to attend the forum are School Committee Members Leigh M. Gerow (second on the ballot), John S. Hatch (third on the ballot), Joseph “Dennis” Gould (fourth on the ballot), challenger Stephanie Lauren Mastrocola (fifth on the ballot) and Committee Member Ryan P. Fisher (fifth on the ballot). Gerow is completing Whittredge’s unexpired term. Committee Members Hatch, Gould and Fisher are completing their second consecutive two-year term. Serino is seeking reelection to his second consecutive term. Mastrocola is a first-time candidate.

  The Saugus Advocate is cosponsoring the forum, which will be filmed in the Saugus TV studio at 30 Main St. Cable customers who miss the forum will be able to view it on Vimeo Saugus TV.

There will be time limits on several questions asked of the candidates and there will be no interaction with the audience. Saugus Advocate Editor Mark E. Vogler will moderate the forum.