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Select board and school committee appoint Chris Kingston to Tewksbury School Committee
Summary
After a joint select board–school committee meeting, members unanimously appointed Chris Kingston, a 29‑year educator and former local union leader, to fill an open Tewksbury School Committee seat through April 2027.
Chris Kingston, a 29‑year high‑school teacher in the Revere Public Schools, was appointed Wednesday to fill an open seat on the Tewksbury School Committee after a unanimous vote by the joint meeting of the select board and the school committee.
The boards met at Tewksbury Town Hall to consider applicants for the vacancy. Officials said two people applied and one withdrew; Kingston was the remaining candidate. A board member moved to appoint Kingston and Mrs. Beaudry Smith seconded the motion; members completed a roll‑call vote and the motion passed unanimously.
Kingston told members he has lived in Tewksbury for 25 years, has two children who graduated from Tewksbury Public Schools, and has worked 29 years in public education. He described his experience as a union leader and negotiator, and said his approach to school‑district conflicts is guided by a superintendent’s mantra he learned: “what’s best for kids.”
Board members praised Kingston’s community involvement, coaching and experience negotiating contracts, and said those qualifications would help on the committee, especially during a contract year. Mr. Russo and other members asked how Kingston would approach negotiations and tensions between unions and district administration; Kingston said he values sitting at the table and conversation rather than confrontation.
The meeting also included a brief acknowledgement of retirements in the district. Mrs. Harrigan was recognized for her service; she welcomed Kingston and said she expected his long experience would benefit the committee.
Members confirmed the appointed term runs through April 2027. Kingston received congratulations from the board following the vote, and the meeting adjourned shortly afterward.
Motion and vote A motion to appoint Kingston was made by Mr. Rider (the transcript also contains the spelling "Mr. Ryder" in earlier remarks), seconded by Mrs. Beaudry Smith. The body took a roll‑call vote and recorded unanimous approval (all present members voted in favor).
What happens next Kingston will serve on the school committee through the next election cycle in April 2027; the committee did not set additional conditions or public follow‑up at the meeting.
