Politics & Government

School Committee Chair Seeking Vacant Town Council Seat

Braintree Councilor-at-Large Leland Dingee announced last month he will not seek re-election.

Shannon Hume, declaring her candidacy for the councilor-at-large seat that will be left open by Leland Dingee, said she will bring years of accounting and School Committee experience to bear on Braintree's budget and a fresh perspective to the council's agenda.

Hume has spent six years on the committee, including the last year-and-a-half as chair, helping steer issues such as the expansion of full-day kindergarten and an examination of the district's space needs.

She pointed in particular to her role in overseeing the school department's finances and crafting its annual budgets as an integral piece of what she would bring to the nine-member Town Council.

Find out what's happening in Braintreewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I care about Braintree, and with the opening of the at-large seat on the council, I believe a new voice on the council can make a positive difference for our town," Hume said in a statement announcing her candidacy.

“I have been active in the management of our school budget, which comprises fifty percent of our municipal operations and we have produced solid results that are supported by being fiscally prudent."

Find out what's happening in Braintreewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hume was elected chair of the School Committee by its members in January 2012, taking over from David Cunningham, who declined to run again in 2011 after 13 years on the committee. David Ringius, an Assistant District Attorney with Norfolk County, is currently the vice-chair.

Sean Powers and Charles Ryan are the other two current councilors-at-large. No other new candidates have come forward to declare for Dingee's seat or any of the other at-large or district seats, though it is early yet in the election cycle. Paperwork for signatures to become an official candidate will not be available through the Town Clerk's office until August.

Hume has a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Massachusetts Boston and worked in the accounting field for 12 years starting in 1988, mainly in banking roles such as cost accounting, internal auditing and also corporate accounting, she said in a follow-up interview.

Along with her professional experience, Hume has helped manage finances for parent teacher organizations. She said she still has plenty to learn, but would focus foremost on education and if elected would likely seek a place on the Committee on Ways & Means.

"I do believe I have a lot to offer," Hume said.

She and her husband John were both raised in Braintree and have three children in Braintree Public Schools. Connor, 14, is heading to Braintree High School next year, Emma, 12, is at East Middle School, and Noel, 10, attends Ross Elementary School.

“Braintree is a special place for us and I know we can make it an even better place for our families,” Hume said. “I have loved the School Committee and now I hope that serving on the Council will allow me the opportunity to be a voice for assisting our town in the years ahead."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here