Augusta residents reelected Rita Pello, 35, to serve on the Board of Education.
Pello beat newcomer Kelly Smith, 37, with 2,796 votes to Smith’s 1,992 votes.
The win returns Pello to the Augusta Board of Education for a second three-year term.
Pello initially took the spot of a former board member who resigned in June 2022, and she was elected in November 2022.
Pello has a background in education as a former teacher and currently works for the Maine Department of Education. Her experience in education and on the board will help her remain committed to making sure the Augusta students have a strong education.
Smith, a parent of two, is a life-long Augusta resident. She ran for the role to bring accountability, transparency and common-sense leadership back to the education system, she said.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your CentralMaine.com account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.