Auburn School Committee, Ward 3 (unopposed)

Thomas Kendall

Bio:

Name: Thomas Kendall

Office sought: Auburn School Committee, Ward 3, a seat he holds. He is unopposed.

Occupation: President of Maine Metro Inc.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, 1972

Family: Wife, Nancy, three children

Political experience: Auburn City Council and School Committee Tom Kendall

Questions:

1. Why do you think you’re the most qualified or best candidate for this seat, and why are you running?

I have served on the Auburn School Committee for over 14 years and have a depth of knowledge and experience that greatly assists me in making the right choices for the children of Auburn. I am extremely forward thinking and drive to move the School Department to meet the demands of a 21st century education.

2. What do you like, and what don’t you like, about the school budget passed in the spring? ($41.75 million in Auburn, up by $1 million; $74.3 million in Lewiston, up by $5.5 million)

If Auburn is to thrive as a community it needs to invest in the education system to attract families and businesses that expands employment opportunities, reduces the tax burden on residents and offers our students the best future possible.

3. When it comes to property taxes, what kind of budget would you support this spring?

Same answer as Question 2

4. What, to you, is the biggest issue facing Auburn schools, and how would you like to see it addressed?

Student classroom behavior that disrupts learning is the single most challenging issue facing Auburn and many other districts. Disruptive behavior harms every student in a classroom, discourages good teachers, hampers student learning and consumes district resources that could be better devoted elsewhere.

5. Do you support the merger of Lewiston and Auburn?

Regarding the education systems, I don’t believe a merger will have any material effect on the quality of educational services now being delivered in Lewiston and Auburn by the dedicated staff of each district.

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filed under:

asc 2017, Auburn City Council, election 2017, Tom Kendall