In Progress

Cambridge voters deposed two liberal incumbents and restored a moderate to a place on the city's School Committee in last week's election. And as a result, it appears that Independents, who last week recaptured the majority on the City Council, will control the committee and its $27 million budget as well.

The two fallen liberals, Charles Pierce and Peter G. Gesell, will be replaced by Independent David A. Fantini, a former committeeman and the second strongest winner in this year's contest, and Sara Mae Berman, the liberal candidate who drew attention to her campaign by literally running through city neighborhoods with leaflets and supporters at her tail.

Fantini's and Berman's election bring the balance of reform and moderate members to 3-3. Veteran observers of the city political scene have commented that the campaign, loaded down with popular candidates but bereft of issues or significant debate, offered few surprises.

The only surprise that might emerge would be if the City Council chooses a liberal mayor, since one of the mayor's duties is to chair the committee. But given the fact that such a vote would give liberals a majority on the board and given the history of politics in the city, that prospect appears more than unlikely.