Bond, Brooks retain School Committee seats in Burlington Town Election

Incumbent candidates hold onto their positions in closely watched local race

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:05pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a yellow school bus parked on a quiet residential street, with the bus's reflection visible in a puddle on the ground. The scene is bathed in warm, golden light, creating a sense of nostalgia and tranquility.The retention of long-serving School Committee members in Burlington's local election reflects the community's continued support for its public education system.Woburn Today

In a closely contested Town Election in Burlington, Massachusetts, incumbent School Committee members Samantha Bond and Jamal Brooks were able to retain their seats, fending off challenges from several newcomers. The nine contested races in this year's election came down to the wire, with Bond and Brooks emerging victorious.

Why it matters

School board elections are often seen as a bellwether for local political sentiment, with candidates' positions on issues like curriculum, funding, and COVID-19 policies closely scrutinized by the community. The retention of Bond and Brooks suggests Burlington voters were satisfied with the direction of the school district under their leadership.

The details

Bond and Brooks, who have both served multiple terms on the Burlington School Committee, campaigned on platforms of maintaining academic standards, supporting teachers, and ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Their opponents had criticized the incumbents' handling of pandemic-era policies, but ultimately voters opted to keep the experienced committee members in place.

  • The Burlington Town Election took place on April 12, 2026.
  • Bond and Brooks were first elected to the School Committee in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

The players

Samantha Bond

Incumbent member of the Burlington School Committee, first elected in 2018.

Jamal Brooks

Incumbent member of the Burlington School Committee, first elected in 2020.

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What they’re saying

“I'm grateful to the voters of Burlington for putting their trust in me again. My focus will remain on providing a high-quality education for all our students while being fiscally responsible.”

— Samantha Bond, School Committee Member

“This was a hard-fought campaign, but I'm proud that our message of stability and proven leadership resonated with the community. There's still more work to be done, and I'm ready to continue serving Burlington's families.”

— Jamal Brooks, School Committee Member

What’s next

The newly constituted Burlington School Committee will be sworn in at the next town council meeting on May 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The retention of experienced School Committee members Bond and Brooks suggests Burlington voters were satisfied with the direction of the local school district and wanted to maintain stability in leadership during a period of ongoing challenges.