LEWISTON — Renee P. Courtemanche has announced her candidacy for Lewiston School Committee in Ward 1.

She is seeking the seat held by Linda Scott, who is not seeking re-election.

According to a written statement from Courtemanche, she has deep community roots in the city and has children in the school system.

“As a lifelong member of the Lewiston community, I have a deep sense of pride in this community and its people. Having two children of my own, I understand the importance of a quality, public education,” she said.

“I believe there are many wonderful things going on in our schools presently, but also have many concerns.”

According to her statement, she will work to address large class sizes in the district, limit the excess money and resources that are spent on repetitive, standardized tests, and improve morale among teachers and staff.

Frustrated by what she sees as the continual addition of administrative positions, Courtemanche said she will “work to put more resources into our classrooms instead of at the administrative level.”

Courtemanche cites teacher retention as the primary motivating factor in her bid for the committee.

“Recently, Lewiston has seen so many exemplary teachers leave our schools for other districts because of their dissatisfaction with what is happening within our own district,” she said.

“I will be a voice for teachers, students, parents and taxpayers and work to improve our schools for the students of Lewiston.”

Courtemanche was born in Lewiston and raised by Lewiston natives Carol and Roger Provencher Jr. She and her brother Jason attended Lewiston public schools.

After high school, Courtemanche furthered her education at the University of New Hampshire where she earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing, graduating with honors in 1999.

Courtemanche has since dedicated the majority of her nursing career to caring for cancer patients at Central Maine Medical Center.

She is married to Michael Courtemanche and they have two children, ages 9 and 12. She is an active member of the Geiger Elementary PTO and is involved in many of her children’s local activities.

Renee Courtemanche