Norfolk's King Philip School Committee Chair Seeks Third Term Running Unopposed

NORFOLK — April 18, 2026 — King Philip School Committee Chair Jim Lehan, running unopposed, makes re-election case in Norfolk cable interview. Lehan, who has served on the King Philip Regional School Committee for roughly 14 years and as chair for four to five of those years, sat down with Norfolk community access TV host Kevin ahead of the May 5, 2026 local election to outline what his committee has accomplished and what he hopes to finish. He cited the voluntary adoption of committee-level review of internal budget transfers as a key transparency reform, noting state law does not require it: "We've chosen now to involve the committee in making a number of those transfers so that there's more transparency." Lehan also highlighted two recent labor agreements — the teachers union contract settled in 90 minutes without attorneys, the custodians contract in under 45 — as evidence of a trust-based relationship with employee groups. He named continued financial account controls, broader vocational school outreach to students, and sustaining the committee's collaborative culture as his top three priorities for a next three-year term. Early voting runs April 24 through May 2 at the Norfolk Town Clerk's office; election day is May 5 at Freeman-Kennedy School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.