Ashley Medina runs unopposed for the Ward 5 Lewiston School Committee seat

Ashley Medina Submitted photo

Name: Ashley Medina

Age: 32

Occupation: Intake and recruitment specialist. I work with at-risk youth at a job training and education program.

Community engagement: President of Healthy Neighborhoods board, Community Concepts board member, served on Lewiston’s community development block grant committee for the past two years, member of Parent Leadership Training Institute

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 think most of us can agree that we wish COVID-19 was no longer a “thing” and that we don’t necessarily love masks or that our kids have to wear them in school. The reality is that COVID-19 is still around and spreading, and I think it is important that we keep our kids in school full-time and to do that, it is important that we follow CDC guidelines to help reduce the spread of the virus and to ensure that our kids, students, staff and families stay healthy.

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

I appreciate the efforts that have been made and that continue to take place, but there is more work to be done. Lewiston is a very diverse and growing community, and it is important that we are inclusive. Having these very real conversations and giving students the opportunity to be a part of this is critical. I also feel that reexamining the curriculum is important. It is time to think “out of the box.”

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

Teachers do not have enough support in the classroom and they are working with students who are at different learning levels, which makes it nearly impossible to meet all students’ educational needs. Teachers have expressed how challenging this can be. I also feel there is a huge disconnect between parents, guardians, and teachers in my community. Communication is important, and there are barriers that need to be addressed to ensure that parents, students and teachers form positive relationships.