Sudbury Select Board directs clerk to place school committee vacancy on March 31 ballot

The Town of Sudbury Select Board voted to direct the town clerk to place the vacant Sudbury Public School Committee office on the March 31, 2025 annual town election ballot, and to provide the required official letter by Jan. 24.

The action followed the resignation of school committee member Mary Stevens and was taken at a brief remote Select Board meeting conducted under Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021. Select Board member Janie Dreller moved the motion, which she stated as: “I move to direct the town clerk to place the vacant office for a Sudbury Public School Committee member on the 03/31/2025 annual town election ballot for our by 01/24/2025.” The motion was seconded by Select Board member Lisa and carried on a roll-call vote.

The vote matters because it sets the vacancy up to be filled by election rather than solely by interim appointment. Select Board members discussed next steps for any interim filling of the seat: the board chair said she would speak with School Committee Chair Nicole Bernard about whether the two committees would pursue an interim appointment process. The board also flagged the need to provide the town clerk with an official letter directing inclusion on the ballot.

Town Clerk Beth Klein confirmed the mechanics for placing the seat on the ballot and the paperwork required. Klein told the board that once she receives the signed letter from the Select Board she will add the vacancy to the ballot and that an electronic signature is acceptable. Board members agreed to coordinate with town staff so the clerk received the documentation the same day.

There was brief discussion about posting a possible Select Board presence at an upcoming Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission meeting and about minimizing open meeting law risk if multiple board members attend; board members agreed to follow up and, if a quorum might attend that commission meeting, post it as a meeting.

Outcome and next steps: the Select Board’s formal direction to the town clerk was approved; the chair will follow up with School Committee leadership on interim appointment options and the clerk will place the vacancy on the March 31 ballot after receiving the required letter.

Votes at a glance: Motion — “Direct the town clerk to place the vacant office for a Sudbury Public School Committee member on the 03/31/2025 annual town election ballot and provide required documentation by 01/24/2025.” Moved by Select Board member Janie Dreller; seconded by Select Board member Lisa. Roll-call votes recorded as aye from Lisa, Dan Cardi, Janie Dreller, Charlie Russo and Robert Tsai. Outcome: approved.