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Select Board appoints Becky Cushing as Lakeville’s interim Freetown-Lakeville school committee member
Summary
After interviewing three candidates, the Lakeville Select Board appointed Becky Cushing to fill a School Committee vacancy through April 1, 2026. Two nominations were considered and the board conducted roll-call votes; the first nomination for Lauren Began failed and the second for Becky Cushing carried.
Becky Cushing was appointed Nov. 29 by the Lakeville Select Board to fill a vacancy on the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee through April 1, 2026. The board interviewed three Lakeville residents who sought the interim seat.
The joint meeting began with school committee members describing the qualities they want in an appointee: community representation, collaboration with existing members and a student-centered focus. Candidates who spoke to the board were Derek Maderas, Becky Cushing and Lauren Began.
Derek Maderas, a radiology physician assistant at South Coast Health, said he moved to Lakeville in 2019, coaches youth soccer and would be willing to learn the committee’s work and run for the seat in April. "I'm eager and interested to learn," Maderas said.
Becky Cushing — who described herself as a lifelong Lakeville resident with an M.A. in education, long volunteer experience in the PTO and service as president of an athletic boosters group — told the boards she prioritizes student-focused decision-making and said she has served on the district superintendent search and capital-presentation teams.
Lauren Began, a maritime attorney and adjunct instructor at Mass Maritime Academy who also serves on the PTO, said she brings experience on federal advisory committees and strategic planning. Began said she would run for the seat in April if appointed.
The board took two nominations. A motion to appoint Lauren Began failed on roll call (the board reported a tally of four nays and three ayes on that nomination). A subsequent nomination for Becky Cushing carried on roll call and the board congratulated Cushing after the vote.
Board members thanked all three applicants for volunteering and noted there are other boards and commissions with openings for residents who wish to serve. The Select Board clerk was instructed to follow up with the appointee about paperwork and next steps.
