LEWISTON — Citing a need to give more time to her family, Linda Scott, chairwoman of the Lewiston School Committee, is not seeking re-election in November.

Scott has served on the committee going on six years, representing Ward 1, which includes the neighborhoods of Geiger Elementary School.

In January 2016 she was voted committee chairwoman, replacing longtime chairman Jim Handy. She’ll continue to serve in her position until new members are sworn into office in January. “I don’t intend to stop until January. I love doing this,” she said.

Two months after she became chairwoman, her husband, Steve, became seriously ill. For weeks that spring he was in critical condition in the intensive care unit. He was diagnosed with a severe infection of the pancreas, was unable to eat and was on life support.

He’s better, but still seriously ill and faces more surgeries for a full reconstruction of his stomach when he is strong enough, Scott said. “It will be a long recovery after that.”

An education technician at Lewiston’s Sandcastle Clinical & Educational Services, Scott said she’s been thinking about not seeking re-election since the spring.

With her husband facing medical challenges, “my time commitment has been too much for me,” she said. “When I commit to something, I give it 110 percent. I feel like I have not been able to give to every aspect of my life,” she said. “I want to spend more time with my family, watch my son’s football games.”

While she won’t be overseeing School Committee meetings next year, “I’m not going anywhere. I plan on being actively involved in the community, and that’s not going to stop.”

She said challenges facing Lewiston schools include a need for more alternative programs, continuing to meet the needs of all students, especially as the number continues to grow and diversify, and providing teachers with a comfortable work environment, given all of the demands asked of them.

“I’ve learned in my six years we have the most incredible teachers and staff who work for the Lewiston School Department,” Scott said. “I admire the work they do.”

Several people have announced that they intend to run for the School Committee, which Scott said is a good thing. She encourages more people to consider running. Papers for the office must be taken out at Lewiston City Hall by Sept. 1.

Serving on the school board “has been life-changing,” Scott said. By serving she’s gotten to know the school system and the community much better. “It’s given me more pride in our community.”

Advice Scott offers to those who will follow her includes to learn from others, despite personal opinions. “Listen to every side.”

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