By Winslow Durgin,Special to the Sun Journal

MINOT – In the only contested race in Friday’s municipal election, Lisa Cesare and Lisa Sabatine-Bridgham will vie for the seat on the School Committee currently held by Christopher Woodford. Polls will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.

We asked the candidates four questions.

Q: What strengths do you bring to the School Committee?

Cesare: I would like to think that if I become elected I can help facilitate good decisions and polices that will shape the future of our school.

Sabatine-Bridgham: As a candidate for the Minot School Board I bring the experience of having previously served. I have the ability to work with people, and to assist in developing solutions.

Q. How would you address the school’s space problems?

Cesare: The population of Minot has been increasing over the last few years and will continue to do so. Our school has not grown to match that growth. We lack a proper library, gym and locker room facilities. I would like to see the tri-town area work together to build a junior high. This would give us room to spread out in our current space.

Sabatine-Bridgham: While we may not need more classrooms for regular instruction, we need space for the arts, for meetings, for a library, and for physical education, and artistic productions. I believe strongly that it is time for the community to work together to evaluate long-range goals for our town, and in that process construct a plan that would meet the needs of our children, and our citizens.

Q. What are the school’s strengths?

Cesare: The culture of our school has improved tremendously this year. Mrs. Pitts has made great progress! I think that the student council program is a wonderful addition. I would like to continue to foster programs with other local schools and community services. Small towns run with the help of many volunteers, and our kids need to learn this early on, and the school and teachers do a great job supporting these efforts.

Sabatine-Bridgham: A community commitment to small class size, particularly at the elementary level. Community participation in our schools. A shared concern for the well-being of our children. Community history. An open-door policy that encourages community involvement in our schools. An active and supportive Community Club. Dedicated, hard-working teachers. An enthusiastic, energized leadership staff.

Q. What should be done to improve what the school offers?

Cesare: I believe one area of weakness is our school’s ability – or inability – to offer programs in the arts area. In other schools there are drama clubs and band. Due to funding and space we are limited in our offerings. I would like to create a plan that would bring a stronger arts presentation to the Minot School.

Sabatine-Bridgham: Increasing parental awareness of what goes on inside Minot school. I believe we need to develop more programs for our middle school students. I would like to see us strengthen our music and arts program. I would like to see an expansion of educational opportunities for children who are gifted, or who have areas of strength that may not be expressed in a traditional classroom environment.

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