Voters pick Hartmann, Kraft for schools

SWAMPSCOTT – Middle School Nurse Marianne Speranza Hartmann and Attorney Richard Kraft won election to the School Committee Tuesday, edging out Attorney David Metala in the only contested race of the election.”I’m relieved the election’s over and excited to start,” said Speranza Hartmann after watching votes come in at Town Hall.”I’m surprised, but really pleased,” said Kraft, who was home and unaware of the results until asked to comment. “I hope that I am worthy of representing the people of Swampscott on the School Committee.”According to unofficial results from the Town Clerk’s office, Speranza Hartmann was the top vote getter with 1,150 votes. Kraft followed with 712 votes and Metala came in third with 519 votes.Stephanie Greenfield, who withdrew from the race after the ballots were printed, received 324 votes.”Congratulations to both candidates,” said Metala, adding that he would absolutely continue to be involved in the schools despite the election results. “I was very encouraged that four people took out papers for the election and (Speranza Hartmann and Kraft) clearly care about the children and that’s what counts.”Both Speranza Hartmann and Kraft said they were eager to begin their work on the committee, which has been at the forefront of local political debate after formulating the high school’s controversial Chemical Health Policy. In fact, the Committee is scheduled to hear the results of a student survey on the policy in their meeting tonight. Town Meeting will also address a petition from citizens that seeks to adopt a Massachusetts Law that will essentially invalidate the policy.”I’m looking forward to listening and learning” about all the issues, said Speranza Hartmann. Kraft said that the policy will certainly be “examined,” but he said his major issue was “building a sense of community and working together to improve the schools.”In other election results, Jill Sullivan won re-election to the Board of Selectmen and Barry Greenfield was elected to fill the seat of departing Selectman Robert Mazow. Joseph Markarian was re-elected as Town Moderator.