During the June 27th, 2024 meeting, the Littleton School Committee’s most significant action involved appointing a new member to the Finance Committee (FinCom). Jonathan Vance, who has served on the zoning board and economic development committee and ran for the planning board, was selected for the position. Vance’s extensive professional background includes experience as a medic in the Army, business education in China, and international work with organizations like Save the Children and the UN. His expertise spans the cannabis industry, consulting, business brokerage, and currently acting as the executive director for clear path for veterans.

Vance’s appointment was discussed in depth, with committee members emphasizing the importance of his role in understanding and advocating for the school’s budget, which accounts for a substantial part of the town’s total budget. Given his potential impact on school funding, Vance’s abilities to quickly learn and contribute to financial discussions were highlighted as valuable assets. The committee expressed a desire for Vance to participate in budget-related meetings to gain insight into the school district’s financial decision-making processes.

The School Committee emphasized that although Vance had not directly worked with municipal or community finances, his ability to rapidly adapt and learn in various sectors would serve him well on the Fincom. Vance acknowledged the learning curve and expressed his readiness to ask questions and engage deeply with the committee’s work to advocate effectively for the school budget.

The meeting proceeded with unanimous approval of Vance’s appointment through a roll-call vote. Members of the committee lauded Vance’s willingness to become involved in the community and contribute to its betterment, regardless of his relatively recent move to Littleton. The committee also mentioned organizing specific meetings that would be beneficial for Vance to attend to prepare him for his new role.