JAY – Four people will vie for two, three-year terms on the Jay School Committee during the municipal and school referendum Tuesday, June 12, at the Community Building. The two candidates receiving the most votes will win.

Candidates Clint Brooks, Nancy Chaney and Daniel DiPompo believe the most significant issue facing the school system is proposed school consolidation. Margo Hutchinson said a more pressing issue is Jay needing to unite as a strong community before consolidation can occur.

Brooks, the current School Committee chairman, said although it is difficult to isolate and prioritize educational issues, “the school consolidation initiative is undoubtedly the most significant issue facing us today. Jay is a low receiver of state funding due to high municipal valuation, so the changes could potentially have a negative effect on our school budget. We must secure an arrangement that will advance our students educational, vocational and extra-curricular opportunities that are slowly being eroded by declining enrollment and escalating costs.”

After attending many meetings on the issue, Brooks said, he has a very thorough understanding of the potential ramifications of school consolidation on Jay schools and believes that will be invaluable when the final decisions are rendered.

Chaney, also an incumbent, said, “We have some major changes headed our way, and we need to make sure that this happens as smoothly as possible and with the best possible outcome for our kids. We need to make this a positive situation that will afford our students opportunities that otherwise might not be available.”

If re-elected, she plans to continue efforts to educate townspeople on the issue and help make the consolidation process go smoothly.

Some form of consolidation is inevitable, the question is how it will play out for the Jay School Department, Chaney said.

DiPompo said, “With the state already changing plans a couple of times, we must look for the best interest for our students and the town of Jay. We don’t know what the state’s final plans will look like, but I would want to take a good look at all the reasonable possibilities and make a sound decision from there.”

“Before we can discuss potential partners” in school consolidation, Hutchinson said, “we must form partnerships within the system and with community members. Parents, staff, students, the board, administrators and community members alike should be working towards one common goal: the goal of collaborating to provide excellent services to the students of Jay, while using resources wisely.”

Hutchinson said, if she is elected she plans to use her positive relationships with community members, interest in research, and time to investigate and communicate accurate information to Jay residents with the best interest of Jay students in mind.

Brooks said his experience as chairman and his ability to handle sometimes difficult situations without wavering will be an asset to the board.

“I am prepared to continue to meet the challenges of this position and look forward to dealing with new educational issues as they arise,” Brooks said.

Chaney said her involvement with the School Department for many years as a parent, a substitute teacher, a volunteer and now as a member of the School Committee would benefit the board.

“I know most of the people here and feel very comfortable talking with them about how things are working,” Chaney said. “I feel I am a good listener, and now that my first year is complete and I understand the process better, I hope to bring a stronger voice to the committee and help to make this the best school it can possibly be.”

His management skills, DiPompo said, would be a benefit.

“I believe school board members should listen to parents’ concerns, set good policies and make all decision(s) based on that policy and treat everyone fairly,” he said.

Hutchinson said her task- and detail-oriented skills as well as being a good communicator, active listener, having good interpersonal skills, a positive attitude and behavior would be an asset to the board.