There is another committee in Edgecomb needing a new member. On Sept. 23, Irene Marchenay resigned from the Edgecomb School Committee. In an email read by Chairman Heather Sinclair, Marchenay decried the overall negative tone taken by a vocal minority at Edgecomb’s community forum held Sept. 20.

The forum drew about 60 residents for various discussions about municipal and school governance. Residents also had a chance to seek information about town finances.

The committee will now seek Marchenay’s replacement. There will be no special election to fill her unexpired term which ends May 2027. 

Sinclair said she was saddened by Marchenay's decision. "Irene has been a calm thoughtful voice, particularly during negotiations and budget discussions, and her presence, real world experiences will be missed," she said. 

During the meeting, Sinclair said Maureen Heffernan would be a likely replacement. "Given her recent campaign for a seat on this board, I will reach out to her and inform her of my intent to nominate her."

In May, Heffernan lost her bid for a school committee seat to Sinclair, 189-122.

In other action, the committee approved the “Use of Multifunction School Activity Bus.” Superintendent Bob Kahler called it a “fancy word for van.” The bus will be used for field trips with a small number of students and other “specialized” transportation needs.

The committee had first readings on four proposed policies: Temperature Standards for Schools, Individualized Education Programs, Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting, Prevent, Education, Use of Physical Restraints, and Procedure.

The committee meets next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 in the school cafeteria.