Two candidates vie for Ward 6 seat on the Lewiston School Committee

Leigh Albert Submitted photo

Name: Leigh (Weisenburger) Albert

Age: 39

Occupation: Vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid

Community engagement: YWCA of Central Maine board of directors, treasurer; Maine Medical Center/Barbara Bush Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit Family Advisory Council; Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute Corporate Leaders Network

Question 1: Do you believe students should be required to wear a mask in school to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under current pandemic conditions?

Given current CDC guidelines, I fully support Lewiston Public School students being required to wear masks in school to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Most importantly, requiring LPS students to wear masks while in school better enables us to keep students in school where they can best grow and learn. Students’ educational attainment and developmental growth are the core focus of LPS and the central responsibility of the Lewiston School Committee, hence my supporting students wearing masks.

Question 2: Do you feel that issues of equity and race are being appropriately addressed in Lewiston schools?

LPS has made strides in addressing matters of equity and race in our schools, yet there is always more to do. One of Lewiston’s greatest strengths is our collective diversity. Lewiston is lifted by our many backgrounds: differing abilities, ethnic, gender, generational, racial, religious, socioeconomic, and more. It is essential that we embrace all LPS students and educators through their identities and lived experiences as we intentionally construct educational, social-emotional, and cocurricular programs and development.

Question 3: What are two specific issues you would address as a School Committee representative?

As someone who cares deeply about instilling the value of lifelong learning and believes education is our community’s backbone, I will collaborate with Lewiston School Committee members and administrators, on behalf of Lewiston citizens, to address the following matters:

• Ensuring relevant and rigorous curricular opportunities exist – for all students at all age and ability levels – to further elevate aspiration levels.

• Supporting the balance of developmentally-appropriate play and challenging academic exposure for our youngest students.

Meghan Hird Submitted photo

Name: Meghan Hird

Age: 35

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom

Community engagement: McMahon parent teacher organization, McMahon in-classroom volunteer, volunteer yoga instructor, Lewiston Auburn Youth Soccer Association volunteer coach.

Question 1: Do you believe students should be required to wear a mask in school to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under current pandemic conditions?

I believe the level of community transmission should determine if masks are required or not. If our county is in green or yellow, masks should be parent choice. If we are in orange or red, then masks should be required. What works best for one family may not work for another. Parents should be given a choice if we are in low transmission.

Question 2: Do you feel that issues of equity and race are being appropriately addressed in Lewiston schools?

As the mother of a kindergartner and a preschooler, I’ve only witnessed acceptance, opportunity, and kindness in our schools. Our teachers are amazing, and our littles love everybody. I don’t believe that when we talk about equity in our educational system that we should be trying to achieve equity in outcome, rather we should be focused on equity in opportunity which provides a pathway to success for all students.

Question 3: What are two specific issues you would address as a School Committee representative?

As a school committee representative, I would like to work on lowering the school budget and trying to get more money into our classrooms. I am on the PTO, the lists that the teachers are providing with things they need are long and not unrealistic.

I would also like to bring some of our technical programs to our junior high. Let’s get kids excited about their future.