Two Seek School Committee Vacancy

Former Westborough School Committee member Karen Henderson is among two applicants to serve on the board until the March 4 annual town election.

Selectmen George Barrette, Timothy Dodd and Denny Drewry and the remaining four school committee members interviewed Henderson on Tuesday night at Westborough Town Hall.

Resident Charles Gammal has applied for the post too, but could not attend Tuesday night's meeting, Barrette said. The boards will interview him on Oct. 1. Barrette said he hoped the boards could vote that night as well.

Bruce Tretter resigned in late June, ending 12 years on the board. He cited a "conflict of interest" with his new job, school-related consulting work. The remaining two years of Tretter's three-year term will be on the ballot..

Henderson noted Tuesday night that she served two three-year terms on the school committee, leaving the board in the spring of 2012.

"I know that I could step in and be effective and up to speed almost immediately," Henderson said.

"I believe that during my time on the school committee I was a good leader, and, hopefully, an effective team member."

Henderson called the schools "a tremendous source of pride for our town, and an integral part of our community."

"I care deeply about Westborough, and about the importance of having a good school system," Henderson said.

The school budget, and contract negotiations, are two issues facing the Westborough schools now, she said.

She said she "helped lead two successful rounds of negotiations" during her time on the school committee.