Ward 5 — Sherwood Heights/Walton schools area

Lawrence Pelletier

Age: 64

Address: 129 Second St.

Occupation: Semiretired

Education: 12th grade.

Political experience: Served two years on the Auburn School Committee, various subcommittees, presently serving on Auburn Zoning Board of Appeals, Citizens Advisory Committee.

Community organizations: Member of United New Auburn Association.

What’s the biggest problem you perceive in the Auburn School Department, and how will you work to correct it?

The biggest issue we have, and have had for some time, is how do we engage our citizens and make them feel that this is their educational system, and we need their help with the huge task at hand, which is providing the best possible education for each student, and filling their individual needs.

What’s working well in Auburn schools, something you want to continue or support?

Our Franklin Alternative School has been a model for providing education to those students who cannot adapt to what we know as traditional education, which the book, “Inevitable,” speaks of.

Do you support the iPads of kindergartners program?

Yes, because the test results are proving that our young students are eager to use this new tool, and with the countless apps available geared to early education. I hope that other districts across the nation will follow in our footsteps and perhaps improve on it. There is even an app recently developed for kids and adults with autism.

Edward Little is in need of repairs, but it is unlikely state money for a new high school is coming soon. Should the city pay for a new or improved high school on its own? Would you rebuild, renovate or leave the building as is?

I am presently sitting on the new and improved facilities committee and we are diligently discussing all of the issues you mentioned. We will conclude our work at the end of November. I was hoping there would be more public involvement this time around, but it is what it is. The next public hearing is Nov. 16.

What’s your position on the next Auburn school budget and property taxes? Should the school budget’s impact on property taxes be flat-funded, decreased or increased, and why?

Even though there will be a lot of new councilors in December, we can still plan on having a struggle with budget talks for the city as well as the School Department. The difference this time I hope will be that we have a School Committee, staff and administration that can work as one team through these tough times and (do) what is best for this community and certainly what is best for our students and their future. . . . I would like to see more money allocated to our school budget, but it must always be spent wisely and where it will have the most impact for our kids. Also I would like to see our (capital improvement program) budget increase to the 2 percent that it should be to maintain the facilities we presently have.

Why are you running?

I care about my community and its students, and I want them to get the very best education/training to prepare them for the rest of their lives; and when they feel they have accomplished that, they will want to return to their community and help raise the next generation.