Orleans seat on regional school committee still vacant after election

ORLEANS — A one-year term for an Orleans representative on the Nauset Regional School Committee remains open after the May 19 annual town election, according to the town clerk’s office. A minimum of five write-in votes is needed to be elected, Orleans Assistant Town Clerk Kelly Darling said. Write-in candidate Deborah Beal won the three-year term on the committee, Darling said.

Vacancies on the regional school committee are filled by the Board of Selectmen in the town with the vacancy, in accordance with the regional school agreement, Orleans Town Administrator John Kelly said. 

The regional school committee consists of four members from Brewster, three from Orleans, two from Eastham and one from Wellfleet. All members are elected by their individual towns and usually serve for a three-year term. The committee meets once a month.

The regional district educates students in grades 6 through 12. The regional school committee oversees capital costs, operating costs and transportation costs that are apportioned among the member towns. The committee determines maintenance and operating costs for the regional schools, debt and interest payments incurred by the district and annual budgets. 

“The Orleans vacancy goes back to last year and we have been advertising for candidates but to date no one has come forward,” Kelly said Tuesday. As soon as one or more candidates apply, the Orleans selectmen will interview them and appoint someone to fill the vacant position until the next annual election, he said.

— Mary Ann Bragg