Laurie Tannenbaum

Age: 45

Address: 36 Lake Street

Occupation: Senior Web Content Editor at IDEXX Laboratories

Education: Curry College, bachelor’s degree in communications; Simmons College, Master of Science degree in communications management

Political experience: None

Community organizations: Lake Street, Park Avenue and Auburn Middle School PTOs

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

Communication between the School Department and the City Council has been the most pressing issue. The relationship between these two groups is often contentious. My hope is that with new councilors and new committee members, a new mayor and a new superintendent, we can start a new chapter where both groups work together for the betterment of the community. Both groups want what is best for Auburn and all of its citizens with regards to education, taxes and services. If we can focus on that shared goal, we can begin to reach it.

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

Our teachers, staff and administrators are dedicated, hardworking people who, on a daily basis, put our children first. … We need to continue to support them and ensure they have the tools and training needed to provide our children with the best education possible, one that helps to prepare our children to be successful, thoughtful and productive adults. Technology at the middle school and high school levels, from laptops to smart boards, has proven to be successful. We need to continue to support this technology.

Do you support the iPads for kindergartners program? What will you do if Auburn does not get grants to pay for the program next fall and in future years?

Yes. The iPad is a tool that’s accessible to children of all learning abilities. Children, at their own pace, can learn and explore using the applications on the iPad — all within a safe, controlled and supervised environment. The iPads are an additional resource for the kindergarten teachers. Funding is always an issue. If we do not find or receive grants for the iPads, then we need to begin to explore ways to fund the program, just as we fund the laptops across the district at the middle school and high school levels.

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

With Edward Little, we don’t have much of a choice. We can’t leave the building in its current condition. To do so risks the school’s accreditation, which is an important criterion for high school seniors looking to continue their education and for those looking to move into our community.  . . . As a community member, I would vote to build a new school and I would support local funding. We won’t be able to build a new building without some local funding. In addition, the School Committee should also explore additional ways to pay for a new facility.

What’s your position on the next Auburn school budget and property taxes. Should the school budget’s impact on property taxes be flat, or the same as this year, decreased or increased?

Over the past few years the School Committee has worked hard to create a budget that meets the educational needs of our community. They have cut and reduced wherever possible. During this time, the school budget has remained flat. While our city taxes have risen during this time, it has not been due to the school budgets . . . the School Committee shouldn’t be forced to create that budget based on a predetermined amount set by the City Council. It is time to evaluate the needs of our city as a whole. It should not be a City Council vs. School Committee approach, but a shared one. Working together, we can ensure that the city has an excellent educational offering as well as good services and reasonable taxes. And if that means an increase in taxes, then I will support it.