ATHOL – While none have submitted papers to run for Selectboard, voters will have four candidates to choose from when it comes to two seats on the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee.
Among them is Emily White, a 2006 graduate of Mahar Regional High School in Orange who later went to Fitchburg State and received a BA in history. She met her future husband after starting at Johnson Controls.
“We lived in Gardner for about a year or two and then we found a property in Athol before we had children and decided to move here,” White said. “I’ve always loved Athol and Orange – loved that feeling of community. We’ve been here since 2016.”
Other candidates for the two open seats on the committee include Athol Fire Capt. Eric Jack, Charles Larkin and Frank Visco III.
No one returned nomination papers to run for Royalston’s open seat on the committee and there’s been no word of any write-in candidates. Incumbent Nancy Melbourne declined to seek reelection.
Three of White’s four children attend Athol Community Elementary School. She has a preschooler, first-grader and third-grader at the school and a 3-year-old at home. White said her motivation for running was out of a desire to serve the community—in fact, the first-time candidate is already serving as a volunteer.
“I’ve actually been on the PTO at ACES for the past two years and I’m currently in the president’s role there,” she said. “I love volunteering. This past May or June, when I was on the search committee for the new superintendent, I found that very interesting. That was great to be a part of.”
White is also secretary of the Athol-Orange Chuck Stone Little League and works with the Athol Area YMCA. She actively sought out the advice of a number of people, including outgoing school committee chair Lee Chauvette, to get a feel for what roles need to be filled.
“A lot of people think having more parents involved is always good,” White said. “They get to kind of see what’s going on inside the district as their children are attending the schools.”
Having played an active role in the search for a new superintendent, White said she’s very satisfied with the job Matt Ehrenworth has done since being chosen to lead the district last July.
“He was one of my top three that we brought to the table after the interviews,” she said. “Since we’ve hired him, even throughout the summer – the summer activities – he was always there. He really tries to remember who he speaks to. It’s great to have that kind of personal connection, and I see he’s very active and present in all of the schools right now.”
White said there is no overarching issue or pressing concern that, in her opinion, needs to be immediately addressed. Her goal is to see to it that the high level of professionalism applied in the classroom and administrative level continues and, where applicable, improves.
While most of her own experience has been solely with what goes on at ACES,” White said, “I’ve always been satisfied with the staff, the administration. Communication can only get better as the superintendent continues to learn and grow.”
One item of some concern is where ACES is outgrowing its recess space.
“To me, that’s concerning because recess is the one outlet for the kids during the middle of the day,” she said. “That’s something I’d like to see addressed. I know we don’t have a lot, budget-wise, but I want to make people aware of what’s going on and what I see as a parent in the school district.”
The annual town elections for Athol and Royalston take place on Monday, April 3. Polls will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. with balloting for all Athol voters taking place at Town Hall, 584 Main St. Royalston residents will cast ballots at Royalston Town Hall, 13 On the Common.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.