Bonnie Hayes

Bio

Office sought: School Committee, Ward 2

Occupation: retired; was an insurance marketing representative

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Orono

Family: married to Bob Hayes, grown children, three grandchildren

Political experience: Auburn School Committee

Questions

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

I am a candidate for the Auburn School Committee because I am committed to promote an education that is excellent for all children in Auburn at a reasonable cost to the taxpayers of Auburn. All children need to be educated for a future not imagined.

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)

The school budget was demoralized by the governor’s budget, which depleted Auburn’s central office staff. This was very unfair to the community.

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

A budget that supports education at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.

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

State mandates are going to be a huge issue this year as the Maine Department of Education passes responsibilities onto the local level. (DOE’s mandate) to consolidate services between districts and form another layer of authority within school districts will cost communities additional expense.

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

I support the idea of both Auburn and Lewiston working together more. The Auburn School Department works with surrounding communities in many ways to provide educational services to students. This certainly includes the city of Lewiston. This can be done by merging, or just better communication between the two cities.