Seven candidates up for School Committee - Nov. 3, 2011
Biddeford voters will select six candidates for seven School Committee seats with two-year terms. Incumbents Nathan Mills and Tammy Fleurent and candidate Lisa Vadnais reside in Ward 3, and no more than two committee members can serve at a time can serve from a ward. The remaining seat will be filled by nomination and council vote. School Committee incumbent Anthony Michaud and candidate James Emerson did not return questionnaires in time for the Courier print deadline.
Name: Tammy Fleurent
Age:42
Family: Married to Tony Fleurent and have five children
Email address: tfleurent@biddschools.org
Occupation: Educator
Previous political experience: Served on Biddeford School Committee for past two years
Why are you running for office?
I am running for re-election for the Biddeford School Committee because I continue to have a strong passion for our community’s education. I believe in being a positive, objective, proactive team member who will strive for win-win solutions for our students, staff and community.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
Let me first say that standardized testing is only one of the many tools for assessing how well a student and/or school district is achieving success. The most effective strategy for preparing students is to implement researched-based curriculum and teaching techniques. Biddeford schools currently have innovative, strategic plans to address the ongoing changes in state and national standards. As newly developed state and national standardized tests are aligned with curriculum we will see improved test results. Quality education and working with community resources will prepare our students to make career choices.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
I would be open to exploring the options of a charter school. As with any educational change, we must carefully consider the pros and cons, making decisions that bring the greatest benefit to our students.
Name: Heather Mills
Age: 31
Family: Married to City Council President Bob Mills, two sons
Occupation: Dispatcher
Previous political experience: Previous School Committee member
Why are you running for office?
I am running to ensure that our children get the education and representation that is needed from us as a community.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
Proper funding off all programs and proper support.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
No.
Name: Bil Moriarty
Age: 36
Family: Wife is Amberlee, three children
Occupation: Self-employed
Previous political experience: Chairman of Biddeford Democratic City Committee, chairman of IT Committee Maine Democratic State Committee 2010-2011, Legislative Liaison Committee Democratic State Committee 2010-2011, Biddeford Historic Preservation Committee 2009-2010
Why are you running for office?
I feel I have something to offer to this committee. I have children in the Biddeford school system and want the best for them, as many parents do. At the same time I want to bring a voice of fiscal responsibility to the committee. We’ve all heard the stories of the projected revenue shortfalls and it is important to have open-minded people on this committee.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
We prepare students for careers by achieving better test scores. Academic success is the foundation for success in the workforce. There are many studies on this very issue nationwide. A simple search bought up many great ideas researched by universities such as Stanford and New York University. By listening to the reports we hear that we are doing what the state and universities are asking us to do. I think we need to find new ways to engage our students and faculty.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
Yes.
Name: Nathan Mills
Age: 50
Family: Married with two school-aged children
Occupation: Business and operations manager, nonprofit
Previous political experience: Biddeford School Committee vice chairman
Why are you running for office?
To continue serving the community in the work of providing a safe, structured and inspired learning environment within the Biddeford school system. To work together with other school committee members, school administrators and staff to carry out the vision of the school system for the success of all learners in this community.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
It is the fundamental work of families, schools and communities to develop the intellectual capacity and character of every child and this is where the efforts of the school committee should be focused.
The school committee should provide the necessary methods and materials and through persistence, instill a mindset that accomplishes the school mission of preparing students for their futures. To ensure the future success of students our schools should encourage students to be original as well as competent and this can be accomplished – year after year – by setting clear and challenging proficiency standards in each subject area and creating curriculum that is rigorous and relevant and supported by process of accountability.
If we rise to this challenge and fully commit to the work of developing the intellectual capacity and character of each child test scores will reflect that we have accomplished what we set out to do.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
I would support a charter school as well as any other initiative that creates accessible, affordable high quality educational opportunities.
Name: Lisa M. Vadnais
Age: 50
Address: 294 Granite St.
Phone number: 283-2449
Family: Husband David, three children – Jessica, Tom and Cole
Website: www.facebook.com/votevadnais
Occupation: Educator
Previous political experience: I know there are other candidates with more political experience than myself. I do feel my years in public school and being a mother of there with one still attending public school make me a good candidate.
Why are you running for office?
I’ve worked in public school for almost 20 years, prior to that I spent five years in private school. I’ve been a mother for 29 years. I’ve spent most of my life in this city. I care deeply for the city of Biddeford and the direction that our schools are taking. With my prior life experiences I know I can be a fresh voice for the families of this city.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
I see firsthand how state testing can weigh on educators and students. We are becoming a system that puts an enormous value on test scores. I realize we must develop ways to evaluate how students are learning and teachers are teaching.
Our main focus must always remain on preparing children to enter a fast changing world. Putting all our concerns on raising test scores is becoming increasingly difficult for educators to meet the needs of all students. Testing is important but we must not become a system that teaches to the test. We need to teach for success. Accountability is key.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
I am open for discussion regarding charter schools. I do feel at this time Biddeford needs to focus on what is already in place for alternative forms of education. I’m a strong supporter of finding ways to help all students be successful. Being in education for a number of years I can certainly see how some students would benefit from a charter school. If legislation will make federal grants available for such as school and it would not become an added burden to the school budget, I can see it begin an asset to the system. Before we head in that direction we must exhaust all other forms of alternative education that our system already has in place. We must always find new ways to better educate our children. However, we cannot buy into every new program without careful consideration.
– Compiled by Staff Writer David Harry
Name: Tammy Fleurent
Age:42
Family: Married to Tony Fleurent and have five children
Email address: tfleurent@biddschools.org
Occupation: Educator
Previous political experience: Served on Biddeford School Committee for past two years
Why are you running for office?
I am running for re-election for the Biddeford School Committee because I continue to have a strong passion for our community’s education. I believe in being a positive, objective, proactive team member who will strive for win-win solutions for our students, staff and community.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
Let me first say that standardized testing is only one of the many tools for assessing how well a student and/or school district is achieving success. The most effective strategy for preparing students is to implement researched-based curriculum and teaching techniques. Biddeford schools currently have innovative, strategic plans to address the ongoing changes in state and national standards. As newly developed state and national standardized tests are aligned with curriculum we will see improved test results. Quality education and working with community resources will prepare our students to make career choices.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
I would be open to exploring the options of a charter school. As with any educational change, we must carefully consider the pros and cons, making decisions that bring the greatest benefit to our students.
Name: Heather Mills
Age: 31
Family: Married to City Council President Bob Mills, two sons
Occupation: Dispatcher
Previous political experience: Previous School Committee member
Why are you running for office?
I am running to ensure that our children get the education and representation that is needed from us as a community.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
Proper funding off all programs and proper support.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
No.
Name: Bil Moriarty
Age: 36
Family: Wife is Amberlee, three children
Occupation: Self-employed
Previous political experience: Chairman of Biddeford Democratic City Committee, chairman of IT Committee Maine Democratic State Committee 2010-2011, Legislative Liaison Committee Democratic State Committee 2010-2011, Biddeford Historic Preservation Committee 2009-2010
Why are you running for office?
I feel I have something to offer to this committee. I have children in the Biddeford school system and want the best for them, as many parents do. At the same time I want to bring a voice of fiscal responsibility to the committee. We’ve all heard the stories of the projected revenue shortfalls and it is important to have open-minded people on this committee.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
We prepare students for careers by achieving better test scores. Academic success is the foundation for success in the workforce. There are many studies on this very issue nationwide. A simple search bought up many great ideas researched by universities such as Stanford and New York University. By listening to the reports we hear that we are doing what the state and universities are asking us to do. I think we need to find new ways to engage our students and faculty.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
Yes.
Name: Nathan Mills
Age: 50
Family: Married with two school-aged children
Occupation: Business and operations manager, nonprofit
Previous political experience: Biddeford School Committee vice chairman
Why are you running for office?
To continue serving the community in the work of providing a safe, structured and inspired learning environment within the Biddeford school system. To work together with other school committee members, school administrators and staff to carry out the vision of the school system for the success of all learners in this community.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
It is the fundamental work of families, schools and communities to develop the intellectual capacity and character of every child and this is where the efforts of the school committee should be focused.
The school committee should provide the necessary methods and materials and through persistence, instill a mindset that accomplishes the school mission of preparing students for their futures. To ensure the future success of students our schools should encourage students to be original as well as competent and this can be accomplished – year after year – by setting clear and challenging proficiency standards in each subject area and creating curriculum that is rigorous and relevant and supported by process of accountability.
If we rise to this challenge and fully commit to the work of developing the intellectual capacity and character of each child test scores will reflect that we have accomplished what we set out to do.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
I would support a charter school as well as any other initiative that creates accessible, affordable high quality educational opportunities.
Name: Lisa M. Vadnais
Age: 50
Address: 294 Granite St.
Phone number: 283-2449
Family: Husband David, three children – Jessica, Tom and Cole
Website: www.facebook.com/votevadnais
Occupation: Educator
Previous political experience: I know there are other candidates with more political experience than myself. I do feel my years in public school and being a mother of there with one still attending public school make me a good candidate.
Why are you running for office?
I’ve worked in public school for almost 20 years, prior to that I spent five years in private school. I’ve been a mother for 29 years. I’ve spent most of my life in this city. I care deeply for the city of Biddeford and the direction that our schools are taking. With my prior life experiences I know I can be a fresh voice for the families of this city.
How should schools prepare students for careers while also achieving better test scores?
I see firsthand how state testing can weigh on educators and students. We are becoming a system that puts an enormous value on test scores. I realize we must develop ways to evaluate how students are learning and teachers are teaching.
Our main focus must always remain on preparing children to enter a fast changing world. Putting all our concerns on raising test scores is becoming increasingly difficult for educators to meet the needs of all students. Testing is important but we must not become a system that teaches to the test. We need to teach for success. Accountability is key.
Would you support a charter school in Biddeford?
I am open for discussion regarding charter schools. I do feel at this time Biddeford needs to focus on what is already in place for alternative forms of education. I’m a strong supporter of finding ways to help all students be successful. Being in education for a number of years I can certainly see how some students would benefit from a charter school. If legislation will make federal grants available for such as school and it would not become an added burden to the school budget, I can see it begin an asset to the system. Before we head in that direction we must exhaust all other forms of alternative education that our system already has in place. We must always find new ways to better educate our children. However, we cannot buy into every new program without careful consideration.
– Compiled by Staff Writer David Harry
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