NATICK - There will be at least one new face on the School Committee this spring.
Incumbent Lisa Tabenkin and challengers Matt Brand, Jim Hannon and Diane Vabulas are running to fill the two available three-year seats at the March 27 town election. Firkins Reed's term is also up, but she is stepping aside after serving since 2012.
Tuesday was the deadline to return nomination papers for townwide positions to the Town Clerk's Office.
"I've loved every minute on School Committee," said Tabenkin, who was elected in 2015 and works professionally helping Head Start teachers bring science, technology and engineering into the classroom. "I hope I can continue helping the district achieve the goals that have been set forth and continue to take education to the next level in Natick with my colleagues."
She would like to continue working on efforts to keep class sizes in check amid rising enrollment and bring a new Kennedy Middle School to fruition.
Brand, a software engineer who has served on the Finance Committee and Information Systems Advisory Board, hopes to bring the perspective of young families.
"This seems like the perfect way for me to get involved," he said. "It's something I care about."
Brand hopes to help foster collaboration among town boards and ensure the district continues to create an environment where all students feel included and can succeed.
Hannon works and teaches in information technology and brings municipal experience on the Information Systems Advisory Board, Town Meeting and the Finance Committee. He takes part in the town's efforts to respond to the opioid crisis and would like to help the schools with that effort.
"Are there ways for us to become more proactive?" he said.
Hannon would also like to see more planning around large building projects to reduce the effect on taxpayers, he said, adding he sees the need for a new Kennedy Middle School. He highlighted his experience in technology and education.
Vabulas, who serves on Town Meeting, said she decided to run to create more competition, hopefully leading to forums for candidates to discuss topics of importance.
Reed, who no longer has children who attend Natick public schools, said this feels like the correct time to step away and give others a chance.
"I have loved serving on School Committee and it's been a real privilege to work to serve the schools and families and students in this way," she said. "I leave the board believing that the school district is really strong, in an enviable position and really set to build on its strengths."
There are two other contested races: Jere Munro and Todd Gillenwater are running for an available constable seat. Morse Institute Library Board of Trustees incumbents Kathleen Donovan, Elliot Goodman, Joseph Keefe, Gerald Mazor and Sally McCoubrey are all running for re-election while challenger Saul Beaumont is also seeking a seat. There are five available seats on the board.
Several incumbents are running unopposed for their seats: Jonathan Freedman (Board of Selectmen), Terri Evans (Planning Board), Peter Delli Colli (Board of Health) and Molly Reed (Board of Assessors).
Kelly McPherson is running unopposed to join the Recreation and Parks Commission.
Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.