CAPE ELIZABETH — Newcomer Barbara Powers and incumbent Joanna Morrissey were elected to the School Board on Nov. 4.

Powers led all candidates with 3,417 votes. Morrissey received 2,231.

Incumbent Elizabeth Scifres, who was seeking a second term, finished third with 1,503 votes. When asked about the results she said she’d “rather not comment.”

Powers has lived in Cape Elizabeth with her husband and two children for 34 years. She recently retired as the superintendent of schools in Falmouth. Prior to that, she worked in Cape Elizabeth schools for 18 years as the high school assistant principal, the Pond Cove Elementary School principal, and as a teacher.

She also chairs the Cape Elizabeth 250th Anniversary Committee.

Powers said she’s glad voters decided she would be a good School Board member.

“I’m deeply grateful to the community for entrusting me with this very responsible position,” she said.

Powers also said she’s excited for the work ahead.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the board members and learning about the strategic plan and the budget process,” she said.

Morrissey has lived in Cape Elizabeth with her husband and two children for over 20 years. She is the program manager for the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in Portland, has served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters for six years, and was also a member of the Junior League.

She said she is looking forward to a second term on the board.

“I’m incredibly honored that the voters of Cape Elizabeth feel confident in sending me back to continue doing the work we’ve been doing over the past three years,” Morrissey said.

Morrissey is the chairwoman of the board’s policy committee and is in the process of overhauling school policies and aligning them with the strategic plan. She said she’s glad she can continue that work.

“We’re looking forward to moving our district forward with our strategic plan,” Morrissey said.

Town Council

The Town Council election was uncontested, with Councilor Katharine Ray re-elected, and newcomer Patty Grennon taking the seat vacated by retiring Councilor David Sherman.

Ray received 3,640 votes and Grennon received 3,343.

Ray, who works at The Iris Network, has lived in Cape Elizabeth her entire life, is married and has one daughter. She has been a town councilor for one term and chaired the ordinance committee. Previously, she was on the School Board for eight years, and was the chairwoman for two years.

Ray said she is looking forward to her second term and working on “whatever issues come our way.”

“I’m very excited,” she said. “I know I was unopposed, but for me it’s very exciting to be re-elected to serve Cape Elizabeth.”

Grennon has lived in Cape Elizabeth for 35 years; she is married and has three children. She works as a certified personal trainer at Back Cove Personal Fitness in Portland, and was the vice president of community outreach and membership for the Junior League of Portland.

Grennon is also on the board of the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation and is a former president of CEEF. She also founded Kids First Center for Families of Separation and Divorce.

She said she’s glad to have been elected to the council and is “looking forward to getting started.”

“I am really pleased that people in town chose to elect me,” Grennon said. “Even though I was unopposed, it’s a great honor.”

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3361 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

Eliot Cutler, who ran as an independent gubernatorial candidate, greets Barbara Powers at the Cape Elizabeth polls before casting his vote. Although Cutler finished third, Powers went on to win a seat on the School board; Patty Grennon, far right, took a seat on Town Council.

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