Five* Things I Learned at the Saugus Candidate Forum

On Thursday night, I had the chance to attend a forum with the five candidates for Saugus Union School District. Incumbents Doug Bryce, Paul De La Cerda and Judy Umeck were joined by challengers Stacie Allegra and Chris Trunkey. It took place in the Emblem MPR and it was moderated by Leslie Littman, who was my high school government teacher. Incidentally, it's humbling to come to the quick realization that your ex-high school teacher looks younger than you.

The event was put on by the Saugus Teachers Association, who would later vote to endorse the three incumbents. Luke Money has a nice write-up.

Just two years ago, the local school district elections had the sharpest anti-incumbent vote in a long time. COC saw two political heavyweights get a close shave from under-funded opponents. A unknown challenger came close to winning a seat on Hart and I don't have to remind you what happened here in Saugus. I've spoken to a few candidates from that election and they were all pretty surprised, but most blamed the budget cuts. Teacher layoffs, bigger classes, furlough days…it was rough. Bit by bit, we're getting back to normal, it seems. If there is one word to sum up the tone of the forum, it would be optimistic. Old cuts are healing and there's a sense of anticipation over what a healthier future might bring. (it also makes it difficult for a challenger to find much traction amid the cheery vibes)

The Saugus USD has never been warm to charter schools, even under heavy pressure to approve the Albert Einstein K-6 charter. The board seems vindicated by Einstein's recent stumbles and the candidates were unanimous in saying that charter schools weren't a fit for the district.

Their consensus was that charter schools may work in some low-performing districts, but not in Saugus Union. SUSD is a high-performing district that's also met the needs of families looking for options through West Creek and Emblem. Doug Bryce and Chris Trunkey both kept the door open to "dependent" charter schools (a charter school created by the district itself).

Inside: A board member who is immersed in their duties. The quickest, most detailed answers. Doubtlessly comfortable going over the finer points with administration, quick with the right acronym, and so forth. Judy Umeck clearly takes this role very seriously.

Outside: Sees the district as we (voters, parents) see it. Paul De La Cerda has the pathos thing down. Credits the SCV and its public schools with saving him from a probable life of trouble as a kid. His kids are in the district, and he doesn't miss a chance to let you know. To the extent that voters are paying attention, his perspective will have a lot of appeal.

They have their act together. They're pooling resources by fundraising and campaigning together. The district is on the upswing and they came out looking good during Winklergate. The anti-incumbent fever from 2011 is gone and voters (the few that bother) are pretty familiar with their names, and of course they now have the support of the teachers, who decided some time ago to be more active in these elections.

Against three generally likable, well-spoken and experienced incumbents (who are running on a slate, no less) it's going to be hard for Trunkey to win a seat. At the forum, he struggled to stand out, mostly because there wasn't a lot of daylight between his positions and the incumbents' – not that there's anything wrong with that. He may not make the case that he's a needed replacement, but he'd be a fine additon. If he doesn't win in November, I'm guessing that he'll apply for the open seat if and when Winkler is gone for good. Hey, speaking of whom...

Either the elefant in the room was hardly acknowledged or he really wasn't there. It's hard to tell.

The only reference, oblique or otherwise, to Steven Winkler was made in Chris Trunkey's opening statement. Trunkey spoke 4th and he ran out of time just as he mentioned Winkler's name. His point, as I understood it, was that voters are dissatisfied with the board, but Winkler was their only choice last time.

Steven Winkler's seat remains in limbo: he's not here to kick around anymore, yet not quite aboard Marine One. But the district was clearly moved on to the Ford Administration.

In the thick of Winklergate, the most common sentiment I got from those I spoke to, be they teachers, administrators, or board members, was relief. Once the rest of the community took notice of this guy, the board the public support to take care of him swiftly and confidently. Now they could get back to doing their job, and the teachers no longer had to worry about being bullied by an elected board member. You may recall that Winkler was banned from visiting campuses for this reason.

The non-topic was unexpected, but oddly refreshing.