Francis Gagnon
Bio:
Office sought: Lewiston School Committee, Ward 3, a seat he now holds. He is unopposed.
Social media: Facebook: Francis Gagnon – Lewiston School Committee
Occupation: Owner of Via-Vision Film & Video Productions and Photo Finish
Education: Emerson College graduate, degree in mass communications and film production
Family: Wife, Eleanor; two sons, ages 14 and 11
Political experience: School Committee representative since 2015
Questions:
1. Why do you think you’re the best candidate for this seat, and why are you running?
I am seeking a second term to continue progress in improving our schools and community, including the possibility of a Visual and Performing Arts Center.
Lewiston High School is the largest high school in the state, and unfortunately the arts department was cut 45 years ago when the school was built. Lewiston is overdue in recognizing and strengthening the arts among its talented students. This will only improve the level of education, which will create a stronghold for our
community as Lewiston takes value in participating in the arts from the core of our youth. I’ve been on a member of the negotiations team working to improve and strengthen contacts. I’ve been a spokesperson for after-school programming, especially for our grade schools.
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)
In just a few years Lewiston has seen growth with over 500 new students. We have recently seen a slowdown but we are still gaining students.
As most of the state is downsizing, Lewiston is growing. Lewiston is certainly doing something right since folks are moving to Lewiston.
As we grow we cannot turn away students. The additional $5.5 million reflects the growth of our community. Luckily the state also recognizes our growth and has recently provided additional funds to our budget.
3. When it comes to property taxes, what kind of budget would you support this spring?
The School Committee and City Council have approved the local share of the school budget for many years. As we grow, our schools find it difficult to maintain a growing structure with what might be recognized as staying “the same.”
We must recognize the differences of growing, as we would if we were downsizing our district. Those are the challenges we face as a school board and as a community, and it all begins with the families and children who live within the borders of Lewiston. Budgets I support will always have students’ best needs first, and overall the current status of our community as it supports a school budget.
4. What, to you, is the biggest issue facing Lewiston or Auburn schools, and how would you like to see it addressed?
Our grade school level teachers are overwhelmed with mountains of paperwork because of testing and mandates which do not aid in the growth and structure of a student’s education. I believe all federal and state testing should be eliminated within grade schools. Teachers working one-on-one with their students quickly recognize which students need testing for guidance. … Let our teachers teach and we will see our graduation rates improve. Also, strengthen our after-school programs so students are better prepared with their skills and homework.
5. Do you support the merger of Lewiston and Auburn?
(Did not say yes or no.) I live and work in Lewiston and Auburn. We will still be L-A if we don’t merge, and we will still continue as L-A if we do merge. My stance on the merger is not important in this discussion.
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