2025 Nantucket Town Election: School Committee Candidates

On the eve of the 2025 Nantucket town election, the Current invited the two candidates for the open seat on the School Committee to share their platform and top priorities with voters in 600 words or fewer.

The polls will be open at Nantucket High School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. this Tuesday, May 20th.

Below are the candidates' statements, posted in alphabetical order:

Vince Murphy:

I have sat on the School Committee for the last six months. Pauline Proch resigned in 2024 after many successful years on School Committee. The School Committee called for applicants to fill the remainder of her term. Six people applied and five candidates were interviewed (including my opponent) and I was selected by the School Committee and appointed by the Select Board. Following my appointment, I took the required 2-day State training. My time on School Committee has been invaluable and I truly understand the demands and duties of the position, and our district’s needs.

I was born and grew up in Ireland before I made Nantucket my home. My wife and I arrived on Nantucket 10 years ago, and have three Nantucket native children. Our eldest is in first grade in Nantucket Elementary School and our middle son will begin kindergarten in September. I have worked for the Town Natural Resources Department for the last 7 years. This public-serving job has made me keenly aware of the importance of using taxpayer funds with efficiency and efficacy. In 2022 I became the Town’s Sustainability Programs Manager and work every day for Nantucket’s future. Sustainability is the balance of Economics, Environment and Social needs and a good school should run under similar principles. We need our schools to be economically sustainable and places for social good. Teachers are the primary managers of the school environment, and the School Committee supports teachers though policy management.

I studied biology at the undergraduate and masters level and worked as an independent scientist for many years. However, before this career, I qualified and worked as a chef. These careers taught me the value of both vocational and higher education. Both are necessary and our Nantucket schools should work to prepare students well for their trajectory, whether it be vocational training or college education.

In these past months on School Committee, I have taken an interest in school lunches, English-language-learners, and our immigrant communities, all of which need more support. For example, I acted on student complaints about school lunch by having lunch at the high school and investigating the catering contract. As a result of my actions, lunch variety increased at the middle and high school and similar changes will soon follow at the intermediate and elementary schools. I have also actively worked on updating school policies that support ESL programs.

Every School Committee in Massachusetts has three core tasks. (1) Hire and oversee the Superintendent, (2) Budget oversight and control, and (3) School Policy management. It is equally important to know what the School Committee does not do. Staffing for principals and teachers, curriculum, and discipline are guided by Committee policy but are enacted and enforced by administration and teaching staff. Anyone claiming that School Committee can oversee teachers or exert influence outside of the three core tasks, does not understand the role.

Now, I wish to continue the good work I have started to refine and reshape the school committee for the effective and sustainable oversight of all district operations. I have made good progress in improving school lunches and reviewing 35 of the 267 existing school policies. The start of leading is listening. I look forward to continuing to listen to presenters and public comment at School Committee, and to issues parents bring me in person or by phone and email. I want to act and to advocate for change and improvement to make our schools better for island natives and recent immigrants alike, without prejudice, in a safe and supportive environment. I ask for your vote on May 20^th.

Matt Tara:

My name is Matt Tara, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy for the Nantucket School Committee. I’m running because strong public schools are the cornerstone of a strong community—and because I’m committed to helping Nantucket’s schools deliver excellence for every student and every family.

I’m a graduate of Wellesley High School and the University of Notre Dame, where I earned a degree in finance with honors. That foundation launched a successful career in business and entrepreneurship, equipping me with the skills to make data-driven decisions, manage budgets, and plan strategically for the future.

But what motivates me most is being a parent. My wife and I are raising two young children here on Nantucket. Our son attends Nantucket Elementary School, and our daughter is in preschool. Like so many families, we want our kids to receive the best education possible without having to leave the island. I want parents to feel confident that our public schools can offer the same academic excellence and opportunities as any private or boarding school. That’s what every family deserves.

For the past three years, I’ve served as treasurer of the Montessori Children’s House of Nantucket. That work gave me real experience navigating the challenges of running a school—balancing budgets, supporting teachers, and making sure resources support learning. One of our most important initiatives has been building housing for teachers, which addresses a key barrier to attracting and retaining great educators on the island. I’ve learned how essential it is to build trust, communicate clearly, and make decisions that serve both the mission and the community.

Nantucket’s schools are at a critical juncture. With growing enrollment, aging facilities, and increasing costs, we need leadership that understands how to plan effectively and use every dollar wisely. If elected, I will focus on three priorities:

1. Raising Academic Outcomes for All Students

Every student — regardless of background or learning style — deserves the chance to succeed. We must invest in a strong curriculum, early literacy and math skills, targeted supports, and enrichment programs that help students reach their full potential. I believe we can raise expectations while still meeting students where they are, and we must give teachers the tools and autonomy to help them grow.

2. Upgrading Facilities

Our schools must be safe, functional, and ready for the future. That means moving forward with plans for a new middle school and modernizing existing buildings to better serve students and teachers. It also includes improving athletic and extracurricular spaces. Vito Capizzo Stadium and the surrounding fields are beloved community assets, but they require thoughtful investment to remain safe and accessible. These decisions should reflect long-term value, student needs, and broad community input.

3. Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

With my background in finance, I will bring analytical rigor and strategic planning to the School Committee’s budgeting process. We must make sure our spending aligns with educational priorities and that we’re planning not just for this year, but for the next ten.

One of Nantucket’s greatest strengths is the diversity of our student body. Our classrooms bring together students from many cultures, languages, and backgrounds—and our policies should reflect that richness. A great school system celebrates that diversity and creates pathways to success for everyone.

What drives me to run is a deep resolve to be part of positive change. I want to help build schools that support every learner, where families feel heard, and where the public school system is a source of pride for the entire community.

I’d be honored to earn your vote for the Nantucket School Committee.