Editor's note: This story has been updated from its original version to more accuractely reflect comments from Megan Ferreira.

With no candidates running against them, the three Bristol candidates for three seats on the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee did not have to sweat through Election Day anxiety. They’ve been ready to go for months. All three have children in the district, and all three are eager to get started in their new roles.

Glenn Donovan

A father of three children, one in high school, one in middle school, and one in elementary, Donovan said he was a little disturbed by some of the school committee culture a few years back, but he acknowledged that it has gotten better.

“Coming into this cycle, I just wanted an option out there. Someone who was just looking to work with people and not really get tied up into some of the theatrics that we had before,” he said.

Donovan said he does not want to get caught up in “culture wars,” which he described as a lot of nonsense happening at school committee meetings. He said he wanted to be an option against that but was shocked when he found out that only three candidates were running this year.

“I was sort of hesitant to get into actually running for office,” Donovan admitted, adding that as a result of the lack of candidates he got off a little easy in that regard. “I just thought it was worthwhile to put my name out there and try to be someone that would be good and easy to work with.”

Megan Ferreira

A mother of two elementary school-aged children in the school district, Ferreira mentioned that she has personally dealt with issues concerning getting help for one of her children who has a disability.

A regular at school committee meetings, she  was co-president of the Guiteras PTO for the past two school years. More recently, she joined the district's Special Education Leadership Advisory Committee (SELAC) when it formed and volunteered to be part of its leadership team. She will step down from that role now that she is a member of the school committee.

Ferreira describes herself as a huge advocate for her children, mentioning that personal situations she dealt with as a parent led to her want to be part of the school committee. She believes  parents should always advocate for their children and what they feel their child needs.  "If a parent contacts me and would like me to discuss a situation with the superintendent, I would be more than happy to bring up the situation with the superintendent.  As a school committee member, we are held to a confidentiality agreement, and I would share back with the parent(s) whatever information I am able to share," she said.

Ferreira said one of her priorities will be evaluating the budget and advocating against anything that negatively impacts children in the classrooms. She saw this happen in the past at Guiteras, when the district eliminated part-time teaching assistant positions. "I know from my personal experience the TAs have helped with behavioral issues and academics.," she said.

Margaret Richards

Richards moved to Bristol five years ago, when her children were all toddlers. All are now enrolled at Colt Andrews Elementary School.

Richards grew up in Clinton, N.Y., a small town that makes Bristol look big by comparison. She said that even though Bristol seems big to her, it has the advantages of a small town, such as more one-on-one support for children from staff members.

“Coming to a new community, I always wanted to find out how I can be part of the community,” Richards said, adding that her background in education, where she has a master’s degree in educational policy, made the school committee a great place for her.

Richards said she does not come to the job with an agenda, rather to be an advocate and voice for the community. She specifically mentioned communication and accountability as two of the principles she wants to push as a member of the committee.