The Kingston Board of Selectmen and School Committee jointly appointed Jennifer Krowchun, a ten-year Kingston resident and federal lobbyist with 18 years of experience, to fill a vacant seat on the school committee effective immediately through the spring 2026 town election. Krowchun was unanimously selected over two other candidates during interviews conducted at the Oct. 7 joint meeting.
Krowchun, a resident of Bog View Road with three children in the Kingston school system, distinguished herself during the interview process with her extensive background working on federal education policy and municipal issues. She currently works with clients focused on transportation and has experience in the education space, primarily dealing with federal budget matters and their implications for Massachusetts communities.
“I think our greatest asset is our schools and our education system and certainly anything we can do to continue to support the teachers and the administrators who do God’s work, that would be my motivator,” Krowchun said during her opening statement.
The appointment fills a critical vacancy as Kingston faces significant budget challenges heading into fiscal year 2026. The school committee seat had been vacant, and town officials emphasized the importance of filling the position before the upcoming budget season. The timing of the appointment allows Krowchun to participate in crucial budget deliberations while also giving her an opportunity to “test run” the position before deciding whether to run for a full three-year term in the spring election.
Krowchun was selected over two other candidates: Will Cushman, a recent Silver Lake Regional High School graduate with extensive student council experience and disability advocacy work, and Bryce Nelson, a business owner with four children in the district. A fourth candidate, Tim Fitzgibbon, withdrew before the interviews.
During questioning, all three candidates were asked about their preparedness to handle the upcoming budget season and whether they would commit to running for a full three-year term. Krowchun acknowledged the steep learning curve but expressed confidence in her ability to quickly get up to speed. “I certainly was actively watching remotely last year, so I saw a lot of the conversations. I do think that I could come in and quickly kind of pick up on the learning curve here, where things are, and jump in, but certainly, you know, would have to really get caught up to where things are because it is a quick turnaround,” she said.
The candidates also addressed the possibility of a property tax override, a topic that looms large over Kingston’s fiscal future. The town successfully avoided an override for fiscal year 2025, but officials have indicated that fiscal year 2026 presents more serious challenges. Krowchun emphasized the importance of transparent communication and long-term planning. “I think communication is key. Clear messages are key in this environment of social media. Sometimes a lot of things can get lost in translation,” she explained, adding that any override proposal should be accompanied by a comprehensive long-term plan to avoid repeated requests for additional funding.
Bryce Nelson brought a business perspective to his candidacy, stating that he was not heavily involved in community activities but was motivated by his wife’s encouragement and the school system’s needs. “My wife is pretty involved when it comes to school stuff and community stuff. I’m not. But she said that the schools need some help. I’ve got leadership experience, a bunch of kids that go here, and so I’m happy to help out where I’m needed,” Nelson told the committees. He emphasized his comfort with making difficult budget decisions and his preference for creative problem-solving over simply increasing spending.
Will Cushman, the youngest candidate, brought passion and personal experience to his interview. He extensively discussed his work with the Class of 2025, his role as inclusivity coordinator for the student council’s regional association, and his commitment to disability advocacy. Cushman emphasized that his family’s long history in Kingston, including a great-grandfather who served as town clerk for over 50 years, gave him a unique perspective on community service. He also proposed innovative ideas such as holding community forum-style meetings to gather public input on school committee decisions.
School Committee members and Board of Selectmen members questioned all candidates about how they would handle public criticism, balance school funding needs against the town’s overall budget constraints, and bring their professional experiences to the role. Carl Pike, a Board of Selectmen member and former finance committee member, asked candidates to address the tension between the school budget, which comprises approximately half of the town’s total budget, and the need for reasonable spending controls.
School committee member Sheila Vaughn made the motion to appoint Krowchun, with the formal language specifying that the appointment would be “effective immediately until the 2026 spring town election.” The motion passed unanimously across both bodies, with all school committee members present (Jesse Keith, Sheila Vaughn, Jeanne Coleman, and Megan Cannon) voting yes, and all Board of Selectmen members (Eric Crone, Kim Emberg, Missy Bateman, Don Alcombright, and Carl Pike) also supporting the appointment.
Just prior to the vote, School Committee Chair Cannon thanked all candidates for their willingness to serve and encouraged continued civic engagement. “Regardless of who is appointed tonight, I hope that all of you will continue to be involved with the school committee. All of our meetings are public. We have a public speaking opportunity each month, and we are always looking for support and feedback from everyone in the community,” she said.
Board members also emphasized that numerous other committee vacancies exist throughout town government, including positions on the finance committee, capital planning committee, community preservation committee, and affordable housing trust. Chair Eric Crone and Vice Chair Kim Emberg encouraged the unsuccessful candidates to consider these opportunities, noting that some positions require more time commitment than others and that prospective volunteers could reach out to discuss their availability and interests.
After the joint meeting concluded, the Board of Selectmen continued with their regular agenda, addressing multiple significant items including winter road maintenance policies, police department staffing, and preparations for the fall town meeting scheduled for Oct. 28 at Kingston Intermediate School.