1. Why do you think you’re the best candidate for this seat, and why are you running?
Because I believe in the value of sensible voices in civil service. I want to help Lewiston’s schools reach their potential. The best way to get something done is often to get involved yourself.
2. What do you like, and what don’t you like, about the school budget passed in the spring? ($41.75 million in Auburn, up by $1 million; $74.3 million in Lewiston, up by $5.5 million)
The budget passed in May was a good, realistic compromise between what schools deserve and what they can get. I believe an increase in the budget was appropriate, given rising enrollment numbers in Lewiston’s public schools over the last several years.
3. When it comes to property taxes, what kind of budget would you support this spring?
I would support an increased budget commensurate with any anticipated increases in student enrollment and sensible increases in per-student spending to fund valuable supportive and after-school programs. This could mean increased property taxes.
4. What, to you, is the biggest issue facing Lewiston or Auburn schools, and how would you like to see it addressed?
One of the biggest issues facing Lewiston schools is the transition to proficiency-based learning. The new system ought to be quite different from the traditional letter grades, and one of the School Committee’s most important jobs will be helping implement (proficiency based learning) so that it’s a positive improvement on what came before.
5. Do you support the merger of Lewiston and Auburn?
Benjamin Villeneuve (Submitted photo)
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