LEWISTON — Tina Hutchinson of Rosedale Street announces she’s running for the School Committee seat in Ward 7 held by Thomas Shannon.

“After years of lackluster graduation rates, poorly implemented state mandates, overcrowded classrooms and a declining teacher morale, it is time for change,” she said in a news release.

Hutchinson said what’s needed are fresh ideas and people willing to listen to those who “do the work and to those who are affected by decisions made.”

For years the School Committee has had many of the same people run uncontested, leaving voters little choice, she said. “Our schools are paying the price for that.”

Students deserve to have people representing them who do not have political aspirations, who show up and ask hard questions, Hutchinson said. “Our teachers deserve to be able to speak up without fear of retribution.”

Hutchinson said she’s been attending School Committee meetings for the past year and has found people are not being listened to, concerns have gone unaddressed and questions unanswered. “This is unacceptable to the students, the staff, and the taxpayers of Lewiston.”

Hutchinson was born in Lewiston and graduated from Leavitt Area High School in Turner. She raised her children in Lewiston. Her daughter graduated from Lewiston High School and the University of Maine at Farmington and is a teacher. Her son is a sophomore at Lewiston High School.