MINOT – On March 5, voters will choose from three candidates for two seats on the Minot School Committee.

Two of the candidates, Lisa Bridgham and Stephen Holbrook, are incumbents. The third is a Minot native and former selectman, Michael Callahan. Each candidate was asked to respond to the same two questions.

Q: How do you think you can serve the Minot Consolidated School and community?

Bridgham: Wants long-range plan

In the past, I’ve been able to improve relationships with the School Committee and the teachers when there had been a number of years without a contract. I’ve been a part of putting new programs like foreign language and gifted and talented in place. I want to continue all of that. I think I can help build bridges with the selectmen by making an effort to work with them. I want to look at the real space needs for the school and develop a long-range plan, not just a series of Band-Aids.

Callahan: Advocates balanced spending

I want to get more involved in the direction of our school. I think I can bring a couple of different perspectives to the board. I’ve been a selectman and can see things from the town side and can maybe help with some of the legal or procedural questions. I think we should provide the best education possible with the least amount of money. There has to be a balancing act. And I know what needs some kids have because I was diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade, so I know how it feels to need those services.



Holbrook: Will listen to taxpayers

I ask a lot of questions, and I want to get answers. I bring a lot of life experience and common sense. Our primary job is to make sure that our kids get a good education. I’m all for improving the school and bringing new things in, as long as we do our homework and do it right. In nine years, I’ve only missed one meeting. That’s because I want to know what’s going on, and I want to do the job people elect me to do. I want to make sure that we get the most for our money, and I’m going to listen to the taxpayers in this town.

Q: What are your positions regarding the request for portable classroom space and the proposal for a fine arts center and school expansion?

Bridgham: Supports the arts in education

Minot students always do well academically, but we are behind when it comes to the extra programs, especially the arts. Our kids are so behind the others when they get to high school and they haven’t had any music. Maybe if the opportunities for art and music or drama were offered in school, students would have the option of knowing what they’re interested in.



Callahan: Believes school needs more space

I haven’t made up my mind yet about the performing arts center. I’d like to read and digest all of the state regulations and learn a lot more about what’s actually required. What scares me is the financing of this thing. There are also a lot of variables when you start making comparisons to other towns. But I do know that the school needs more space. I think the town should fund the portables.

Holbrook: Wants to take a cautious approach

I feel like we need the expansion, but I don’t think there’s been enough homework done yet. I want to know just exactly what we’re going to get for the money being put into it. I think we need to work things in over time. If the town passes this expansion, then I’ll do what the town wants. But I don’t believe that we’ve looked at all the options yet. As for the portables, I can support that 100 percent.