Two candidates are running for Lewiston School Committee Ward 1 seat

Bruce Damon Submitted photo

Name: Bruce Damon

Age: 70

Occupation: Mechanical contractor

Community engagement: Lewiston Planning Board chairman, Legacy Lewiston Comprehensive Plan, Lewiston Zoning Board of Appeals, Lewiston Energy Saving Committee, Lewiston High School expansion committee, Connors Elementary School building committee, Lewiston School Committee, Stanton Bird Club Executive Committee.

Question 1: Do you believe students should be required to wear a mask in school to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under current pandemic conditions?
Yes. Until there is an approved vaccine for age 5 and up, students and staff should all wear masks indoors to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Students learn best when in school full-time and keeping them in school, and not remote, is the most logical approach to accomplish that goal.

Question 2: Do you feel that issues of equity and race are being appropriately addressed in Lewiston schools?
We have a long way to go, but we have taken some steps in that direction. We have adopted an equity policy and hired a full-time coordinator for the district. The issue of equity extends way beyond the schools, and the City Council has also agreed to address it in several other programs. This will take time, but we have started.

Question 3: What are two specific issues you would address as a School Committee representative?

Making sure that we maintain our existing buildings and infrastructure and improve the indoor environment and energy efficiency, so students have a safe and healthy place to learn.
Balance our needs and goals with appropriate fiscal management that allows Lewiston to attract and retain the best teachers and ensure that every student gets their specific needs met. We have a diverse and challenging demographic that presents unique opportunities to innovate and grow the district.

Matt Jadud Submitted photo

Name: Matt Jadud

Age: 46

Occupation: Software engineer

Community engagement: Computer science for Lewiston Public Schools Committee

Question 1: Do you believe students should be required to wear a mask in school to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under current pandemic conditions?

Yes.

Question 2: Do you feel that issues of equity and race are being appropriately addressed in Lewiston schools?

When New Mainers, people of color, and families of children who are not neurotypical have a powerful voice in school governance, we’ll be measurably on our way to addressing equity and justice in our schools.

Question 3: What are two specific issues you would address as a School Committee representative?

I would like to see greater transparency in the school governance process, and a greater commitment on the part of the committee to attracting, retaining, and supporting excellent educators in Lewiston Public Schools.