Wachusett Regional School Committee elects Lauren Samuelsinger chair, Shannon Poole vice chair

The Wachusett Regional School District Committee elected Lauren Samuelsinger as chair and Shannon Poole as vice chair at its organizational meeting, conducted under the district bylaws and Massachusetts law. The committee used signed paper ballots, which the chair said will be included in the public record in keeping with the WRSD bylaws and chapter 71, section 16A of the Massachusetts General Laws.

A committee member who nominated Samuelsinger praised her experience chairing meetings and serving on the legal and finance subcommittees. For vice chair, Shannon Poole received a nomination and a second; the committee conducted a paper-ballot vote and announced Poole's election at the table. The roll-call readouts of ballots and some members’ remarks were read aloud and recorded in the minutes.

The chair noted the bylaws require two years of prior committee service to hold the chair or vice-chair offices and limit service to a one-year term, with no more than three successive re-elections. The ballots used at the meeting were signed and retained per the committee's stated practice.

The committee then adjourned the organizational portion and reconvened its regular meeting, where the new chair opened the evening’s agenda.