Jennifer McCormick elected chair; Lee French chosen as vice chair of Merrimack budget committee

The Merrimack School District Budget Committee elected Jennifer McCormick as chair and Lee French as vice chair during its Oct. 15 reorganization meeting.

McCormick and Mackenzie Murphy were nominated for chair. Jennifer McCormick, who cited a background in finance and human resources and said she wanted the committee to function “efficient and beneficial to both the district and to the community,” stood for the role. Murphy described six years on the committee and experience overseeing departmental budgets in higher education. After a roll-call-style tally, the chair announced that McCormick received six votes to Murphy’s four, with two abstentions; McCormick then assumed the chair duties for the meeting.

Lee French, nominated for vice chair, described seven years on the board and experience working with the committee. Members debated the choice and recorded several abstentions before confirming French as vice chair.

The reorganization followed brief introductions by new and returning members, including Anthony Santoriello, Shannon Rant, Dan Coakley and others. The committee's clerk coordinated roll-call voting during the meeting.

The committee set organizational expectations for the coming budget season under its new leadership and moved on to agenda items including a budget presentation proposal from administration.