Though the school committee has little power to change state law, it can agitate within the community or make recommendations to the state government.
The public may have more say, too, as Walser has advocated making school committee meetings more accessible to the public. She has said shortening the meetings and publicizing topics beforehand will facilitate parent participation.
The final results will be announced today, but because the swing votes are expected to go to CCA candidates, Harshbarger has little chance of gaining a slot.
And of course, the final makeup of the committee will not be known until next year, as the mayor--chosen in January--is the seventh member of the school committee.
With four incumbents, former committee member and tenacious campaigner Fantini, and book author Walser, it seems for this year's school committee members, doing their homework paid off.