Address: 149 Hatch Road

Age: 40

Personal: Married, two children

Occupation: Engineer for the Department of Defense, watches over shipbuilding for the Navy in Bath

Education: Graduated from Edward Little High School in 1983, bachelor of science in marine engineering in 1987 from Maine Maritime.

Experience: No political experience. Boy Scout leader for 11 years, soccer coach for 11 years. Have attended many Auburn School Committee meetings and asked questions.

Why are you seeking a one-year, at-large seat on the Auburn School Committee?

To serve the students and taxpayers of Auburn, that’s all I’m looking to do. I’d consider it an honor and duty to represent these individuals for the one-year term.

If elected, how would you balance the education needs of our community and keep property taxes down?

Meeting the needs of students may bring the property taxes up or down. I don’t know where that budget money is going or what they’re doing with it, but giving the superintendent $600 a month for travel has absolutely nothing to do with education. We need to look closely at the school budget to see what we’re spending money on. The documents they have are confusing, cumbersome.

Rate the incumbent (or yourself).

I’ve gone to a lot of School Committee meetings, not only Ross but the whole committee members don’t ask a lot of questions. The group works well together, but I don’t think they’re in touch with the community. They ought to hold meetings somewhere without the school administrators. … Administrators scare people. Your children are in their area of influence. … There needs to be more questions. The budget needs to get looked at harder. … I don’t think teachers are overpaid. They have a lot of perks that people don’t know about. Good health insurance, 17 days of sick leave a year.

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Ross Leavitt

Address, 43 Newell Ave., Auburn

Age: 52

Occupation: Case worker in the Bureau of Cognitive and Physical Disability in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Education: University of Maine at Farmington graduate, degree in special education K-12.

Experience: Incumbent on the Auburn School Committee since 1998, served as co-chairman and chairman of Washburn Parents Teacher Organization, participated on the north side facilities group which analyzed upgrades to Washburn and East Auburn schools.

Personal: married, one daughter.

Why are you seeking a one-year, at-large seat on the Auburn School Committee?

I’ve become more familiar with issues facing the schools. Things can only be improved by people invested in the process. … As I’ve spent more time on the committee I’ve picked up more information. Often what you think things are at the beginning, you’ll find much different situation. You can’t tell from the outside looking in. With my daughter attending Edward Little, I am committed to make this the best possible situation.

If elected, how would you balance the education needs of our community and keep property taxes down?

What I’ve tried to do right along. There’s never going to be an unlimited source of resources to do everything. The best thing I’d like to do is make sure the money that gets spent, we get the best return we can. I try to be vigilant that the things going on are the things needed. On taxes, we should keep the budget to a minimum, not excessive, and try to keep pace with society as it changes.

Rate the incumbent (or yourself):

My job has allowed me to be a part of the school process for many years. At one point, this office handled children as well as adults. I’ve worked extensively in the tri-county area. I’ve been connected with schools and families. I’ve been active in the School Committee process serving on subcommittees: the curriculum committee, transportation, naming the new school committee, subcommittee meetings with the City Council and School Committee. Combined with that is my general interest in education. Money and resources spent (in elementary education) give us the greatest chance for return, rather than trying to tackle problems afterward.

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Thomas Martellone

Address: 3 Richardson St., Auburn

Age: 39

Occupation: Elementary principal of Greene Central School

Education: bachelor of science in elementary education, master’s in school administration

Experience: No political experience

Personal: Single

Why are you seeking a one-year, at-large seat on the Auburn School Committee?

I work in education. I was reading the newspaper and read they were looking for someone for a temporary position, and there would be openings in the upcoming election. I have a strong knowledge and background in education. I’ve been in the field a number of years as a classroom teacher and principal. I have a good understanding of how schools work, how the budget process works.

If elected, how would you balance the education needs of our community and keep property taxes down?

I’m a firm believer that you build a budget around what is needed to provide a good education for children, and look to see what the community is able to support. … You edit or tailor your budget around that.

Rate the incumbent (or yourself).

I work with students … I submit a budget for my school every year. I’ve got a good handle on what’s needed in the schools regarding delivering a good education for kids and a sound budget. I’ve been a part of a large building and maintenance project. I understand what’s needed around plant and facilities. … Additionally I feel I’ve got a strong understanding of what’s required of schools by the federal government and the state learning results. So when people present information on how does the budget impact education, because of the work I do I’m pretty intimately acquainted.