BETHEL – Oddly enough, there are three incumbent SAD 44 directors seeking re-election for two three-year terms in Bethel’s municipal elections set for Tuesday, June 12. Everyone else is running unopposed.

Elaine Cross, Carol Everett and Lynn Arizzi all want to remain on the school board. They were asked by phone to respond to the same three questions: Why should someone vote for you? What is the biggest issue facing SAD 44 and, what will you try to do about it? What is your opinion on the governor’s proposal to merge SAD 44 with SAD 43 and SAD 21?

Cross wants to keep experience on the board and said she has the background and knowledge to handle the work. She also grew up in Bethel and graduated from SAD 44, where her mom was a former teacher.

“The biggest issue facing SAD 44 is redistricting at the state level with other districts in closer proximity to each other than we are. We’d join SAD 43 and SAD 21 and, that could have its problems, because we’re more rural. It’s different for us Our district is so big to begin with,” she said

Cross will continue to contact legislators and state school officials, and bring her experience to bear.

Regarding Gov. John Baldacci’s proposal, Cross said there are some aspects of it that could work, but it would be a huge district spread out over a lot of territory.

“That isn’t the best thing, but we should be sharing superintendents and administrative staff. I think he should have let everyone plan it out in a better manner rather than having us all forced into it,” she added.

Arizzi said people should choose her due to her extensive experience in education.

“I have always been an advocate for having quality education in our schools and, I’ve always been really very active in seeing that the best education possible could be achieved for students,” she said.

Like Cross, she, too, said SAD 44’s biggest issue is school district consolidation.

“I think we have to work toward the best solution for our towns. In consolidating with SAD 43 and 21, we need to be sure our students still receive and can achieve a very fine education in that regionalized system. There are a lot of logistics to work out and, we need to protect our schools and make sure our schools like Andover and Woodstock and our high school don’t get closed. I also want to keep educators here so our students don’t have to travel so many hours,” Arizzi said.

Everett said people should pick her, because she’s a Bethel native who is very interested in SAD 44 schools. She is also familiar with SAD 44 budgets through her municipal budget work.

She, too, said school district consolidation is the biggest issue, and has been emailing her opinion to legislators.

“I just want to make sure our students get a quality education. I do believe there can be some administrative consolidation without hurting education,” Everett said.

She’s against Baldacci’s proposal.

“It scares me. I don’t like the long bus rides. I like the small schools and, Telstar has the good education,” she added.

In the uncontested races, one-year incumbent SAD 44 Director Pat Nasta seeks an open two-year term and newcomer Roberta Taylor is running for a one-year school board seat.

Incumbent Selectmen Stanley Howe and Don Bennett are seeing re-election to three-year terms, as are assessors Howe and David Luxton.

Polls are open Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. inside Crescent Park Elementary School. Town meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13 at the same place.