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Michelle Bergstrom, a nine-year member of the Winchester School Committee, announced she will not seek re-election, citing her return to full-time elementary classroom teaching as the reason for stepping down.
“At my core, I am an educator. I have returned full time to the elementary classroom, a decision that feels both joyful and deeply meaningful,” Bergstrom said in a statement provided to Winchester News. “There is no more important work than investing in our children and their futures, and this next chapter requires my full professional attention.”
Bergstrom, an elementary educator, was first elected in 2017 and served three consecutive three-year terms. She held leadership roles, including chair and vice chair of the committee, and chaired the Budget Subcommittee and Curriculum Subcommittee.
“When I first ran for office, I was the parent of young children and taking time away from the classroom, bringing both my professional experience and my perspective as a caregiver to the work,” Bergstrom said. “I ran with a deep belief in the power of public education to serve every student, regardless of background or need.”
During her tenure, the district supported full-time kindergarten aides and conducted a district-wide literacy study, according to Bergstrom’s statement. She also advocated for math specialists at the elementary level and encouraged the pilot of performance-based assessments.
On facilities, her tenure overlapped with a School Committee that oversaw construction of the new Lynch School and advanced MSBA participation for a new Muraco School.
Bergstrom’s statement also cited the committee’s support for later school start times, policies affirming LGBTQ+ students, the retirement of the Sachem mascot in favor of the Red & Black and revitalization of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). She served twice as a negotiator for Unit A teachers’ union contracts.
“During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee worked to provide stability and support for students, families, and staff while navigating rapidly changing conditions,” Bergstrom said.
Beyond the committee, Bergstrom served on the Winchester Committee on Community Preservation and was recommended for the Housing Partnership Board.
“While my role is changing, my commitment to Winchester’s schools is not,” Bergstrom said. “I look forward to staying involved in our community and continuing to advocate for strong, inclusive public schools that meet the needs of all learners.”
Bergstrom’s departure leaves one open seat on the School Committee in the March 21 town election. Two candidates are running for the three-year term: John Bellaire and Heather von Mering.
A School Committee debate between Bellaire and von Mering is scheduled for March 5 at the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road, from 6:45 to 8 p.m.
Will Dowd is a Massachusetts journalist who covers municipal government and community life for Winchester News. He runs The Marblehead Independent, a reader-funded digital newsroom.
