LIVERMORE FALLS – Three candidates are seeking two SAD 36 board seats at the polls June 9.

Incumbents Mac Haynes and Fred Nadeau are being challenged by Katie Castonguay of Livermore Falls for two three-year terms. The top two vote-getters will be elected. All three are from Livermore Falls.

The polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at the town office.

All three said they believe there are pressing issues facing the district.

Castonguay said more intervention and more constructive time is needed in the classroom to help children, which ultimately will lead to better Maine Education Assessment scores, she said.

“I feel that our kids may be falling behind other schools,” Castonguay said.

She said if she is elected, she will try to help resolve issue.

“I would limit some of the vacation and half days so that the children can be in school more,” Castonguay said. “We live in Maine and know we have unpredictable weather, so if we eliminate some of the vacation days, we could still make up snow days and get out at the beginning of June.”

There is not just one issue but several facing the district, Haynes said.

“How do we provide the best education to our students at a reasonable price,” he said. “What do we do about the consolidation law?”

Haynes is on a committee to view the matter of consolidation and on the budget committee. He is hoping to continue that work, if elected, to help try to resolve the issue.

Nadeau says the biggest issue he sees facing the district is school funding.

If elected, Nadeau said he would continue to work with administrators and others to keep cost increases down.

“I would also look at collaboration and consolidation with other districts,” Nadeau said.

Nadeau said his frugality and common-sense skills are a benefit to the school district.

He has worked for the public for 13 years in Livermore Falls and has served on the SAD 36 Board of Directors for nine, he said.

Haynes believes his years of education experience will benefit the district.

“After graduating from Michigan State University I have spent nearly 40 years as an educator at (Livermore Falls High School),” Haynes said. “I directed the adult education program for 25 years. I bring a lot of experience to the position. I also have been on the board for the last 3 years.”

Castonguay believes her insight as a parent and being a new voice for the school system would be a benefit to the board.

“I think that I can bring a new voice and be an advocate for my children as well as the parents and children of the community,” Castonguay said.