News

Anti-override leader to run for School Committee

By Paul Leighton
Staff writer
Published: March 23, 2009

BEVERLY — The co-founder of the anti-override group Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility said she will run for School Committee in Ward 4.

Boyle Street resident Gail Burke said she's running because schools have "lost the drive to strive for excellence."

"I think it's time people started to think differently and not be satisfied with a mediocre education or the status quo," she said.

Burke started Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility along with Elliott Margolis, who last month announced that he will run for councilor-at-large.

The citizens group successfully campaigned against last summer's Proposition 21âÑ2 override that would have raised $2.5 million for the school budget.

Burke, who is retired, worked as an administrative assistant at a Boston research institute.

Karen Fogarty, who is in her first term as a Ward 4 School Committee member, said she intends to run for re-election "at this time."

Candidates cannot officially take out nomination papers until March 30. The election is Nov. 3.

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Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.