Pamela Hart Submitted photo

Name: Pamela Hart 

Age: 51 

Occupation: Registered respiratory therapist in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at Central Maine Medical Center

Community engagement: Current Ward 2 School Committee representative, volunteer with the PAL Center to deliver groceries to community members, Edward Little High School building committee and chairwoman of the ELHS fundraising committee.

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? 

As a respiratory therapist, I have advocated utilizing all mitigation strategies that have been recommended by the Center for Disease Control and American Academy of Pediatrics to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as masks, socially distancing, practicing good hand hygiene, staying home if sick and being cognizant of one’s health and symptoms of COVID-19. Our goal is to keep students healthy, safe and in school. 

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

I believe every child, regardless of their differences, should have an equal opportunity to quality education. It’s important to recognize everyone’s uniqueness, celebrate those differences and how they enrich our community. The pandemic has exposed many areas of inequity, and the Auburn School District has worked to fix issues such as Wi-Fi for all students, in order to allow remote access to school. They have also done a tremendous job at providing food for all students to minimize food insecurity. Of course, there is always more to be done. 

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

My goal is to continue listening to and advocating for all stakeholders. It will be important to help our students catch up from the learning loss they’ve experienced this past year. I have connected our school with local colleges to offer tutors to help our students with their learning loss. I will also continue to advocate for the social and emotional needs of our students, especially as we continue to navigate the implications of COVID-19.