At-Large School Committee member Jackie Doherty during an InsideView podcast appearance in 2023.

With less than a month remaining until nomination papers are available June 10, and a little over two months before the July 22 deadline to return signatures, there are still a number of unanswered questions regarding the upcoming Lowell School Committee election.

The races got off to an early start last November, when Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce President Danielle McFadden announced her candidacy for one of the two At-Large seats. In 2023, long-time incumbents Jackie Doherty and Connie Martin ran for re-election unopposed.

While Martin confirmed to us in April she is seeking re-election, Doherty told InsideLowell she was undecided and would talk about her decision “after the budget in mid-May.” And while acknowledging during that text exchange that “uncertain times make it difficult to walk away,” a number of sources report she’s already told them she’s not running.

Meanwhile, over the last couple of months, former SC member Robert Hoey has repeatedly mentioned on the City Life public access show that he is mounting an At-Large campaign.

Hoey has yet to respond to our requests for comment, but did post a message on his Facebook page this past Sunday that “I’ll be having my formal announcement before school gets out for the summer. Date and time and place tbd. Happy Mother’s Day. PS I’ll be putting at large on my new signs.”

Another potential At-Large candidate, Elkin Montoya had previously told InsideLowell he was considering throwing his hat in the ring. However, when contacted today, he confirmed he has decided against running.

While all the names mentioned above have been circulating for months, a new candidate’s name has recently surfaced; Zoe Dzineku.

We’ve been picking up increasing chatter that Dzineku, a former Lowell Election Commissioner and aide to State Senator Ed Kennedy, is going to run for the District 2 (Centralville & Downtown) seat currently held by Eileen DelRossi.

The Centralville resident, who left her job with Lowell Public Schools last December, previously mounted a campaign for 16th Middlesex State Representative in 2022, coming up just short in a close Democratic Primary against Rodney Elliot. Elliott went on to capture the seat by beating Karla Miller in the General Election.

Contacted today, Dzineku confirmed her interest, but told InsideLowell she is undecided. She also threw in a twist that if she does run, it may either be for the District 2 seat or one of the At-Large slots. She added that complicating the decision is that “I also like Eileen (DelRossi).”

“The Lowell School Committee must continue to prioritize strong, compassionate advocates who represent all families,” Dzineku wrote by text. “We need voices that consistently put the needs of every student first when it comes to education. Our dropout rates can and should improve and with financial resources tightening, it’s critical that we focus intentionally on engaging parents for both support and accountability. This partnership helps students recognize that education isn’t just a requirement but it’s a vital foundation for their future. I believe that it also reinforces an important truth that education does not rest solely on the shoulders of our teachers. Families play a key role in their children’s learning and overall success. And finally, representation matters. Our school committee should reflect the diversity and spirit of the student body in Lowell.”

How the races ultimately shake out remains to be seen. As mentioned above, signatures must be returned and verified by July 22, and a potential At-Large preliminary election looms September 9. Making the campaign window even tighter is the fact mail-in and early voting begins in August.

But given that in 2023, current District 1 (Pawtucketville & Upper Highlands) School Committee member Fred Bahou was the only challenger to throw his had in the ring for any race, the current speculation and contemplation has at least created some buzz on the schools side. Whether it becomes a beehive of activity or not, we’ll know in the coming days and weeks.