Lowell school committee candidates debate budgets, equity, special education and building conditions at public forum

Four candidates seeking seats on the Lowell School Committee and at-large positions appeared at a public forum that centered on school budgets, special-education compliance, equity and recurring building maintenance problems.

Moderated by Ralph St. Louis and organized by local civic groups, the forum featured candidates Sherry O'Connor Barbosa, Dominic Lehi, Connie Martin and Zoe Zuniku. Organizers used a mix of timed long-form questions and yes/no “lightning round” prompts to cover topics including charter schools, transparency in budgeting, IEP timelines and building safety. Early voting information and election dates were announced to attendees: early voting Oct. 25–31 at the Lowell Senior Center and Election Day Nov. 4.

Why it matters: Candidates’ positions on funding, special education and facilities shape district priorities and spending if elected. Several candidates tied classroom conditions and staffing decisions to broader city budget decisions and urged clearer communication with families about services and building repairs.

The candidates agreed on several broad points while differing on emphasis. Sherry O'Connor Barbosa called for expanded before- and after-school care and restoring some traditional classroom practices, saying the district should “implement the great things of charter schools in our public schools.” Dominic Lehi said he opposed further charter expansion, arguing charters “take money away from the public school,” and asked voters in the Lower Highlands and the Acre for continued support. Connie Martin, a long-standing committee member, emphasized preparation and research in decision-making and said “there’s nothing else going on in this city that has more of an impact... than the quality of education in our schools.” Zoe Zuniku highlighted school site councils as a vehicle for family engagement and transparency.

Candidates discussed the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) audit findings about delayed IEP complaint responses, with several calling for quicker resolution timelines and clearer family communication. Building conditions such as mold at Pawtucketville and elevator problems at Bartlett drew sharp criticism; candidates urged stronger city-district coordination and prioritized capital spending.

The forum organizers and candidates encouraged voter engagement and closed with a 20-minute meet-and-greet. The event was livestreamed and recorded by Lowell Telemedia Center and cosponsored by several local groups.

Looking ahead: Candidates urged voters to review early voting options and candidate information online; no formal endorsements or votes were taken at the forum.