SANFORD — Five candidates will vie for two, three-year Sanford School Committee terms on Nov. 8.

In the running are pediatric dentist Mark Lucier and social worker Kendra Williams, who are both incumbents, along with RSU 60 math teacher Caroline Roberge, builder Louis Coluni, and attorney Adam Cote, who was a Democratic primary candidate for Congress in 2008 and now works in the energy industry.

The five answered questions at a Candidate’s Night forum sponsored by the Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce Wednesday evening.

Coluni said he’s attracted to the school committee post because as a builder, he’s interested in new school construction slated for Sanford High School ”“ the project is second on the state education department’s construction list ”“ and two elementary schools are also on the list.

“We need a contractor to figure out the bottom line,” said Coluni. “I spent my whole life solving problems.”

He said he’s prepared to negotiate with teachers unions and that when times are lean, “both sides have to give on salaries and benefits.”

Cote said his law background would serve the school committee well. The veteran also pointed out he’s served in a number of positions, including leading troops in the Iraq war.

“It’s not our role (as school committee members) to be involved in the day to day or to go in with an ax to grind or agenda,” he said. “The number one priority is giving the kids the best education they can have.”

Lucier, currently the chairman, said he brings balance to the five-member committee.

“The role of the school committee is not necessarily out in front, beating the drum but almost invisible,” said Lucier, who sees the committee’s role as policy makers. And he pointed out that part of the job involves disciplinary hearings that can sometimes mean a student is removed from the school system. He said there’s a “humbleness” involved in being a school committee member and said as part of the board that is tasked with making disciplinary decisions, “it’s a difficult role.”

Roberge, who has a degree in finance, pointed out she’s been a teacher in a nearby district for nine years and is familiar with the recently adopted, new common core standards. She said Sanford has to improve its graduation rate, noting the drop-out rate is 4.64 percent, as compared to the state drop-out rate of 3.46 percent.

Williams said she’s a good listener, gets along well with people and is flexible.

“I try to see the perspective of all the stakeholders ”“ students, parents, teachers,” she said.

The school committee’s role is to provide oversight, guidance and support to the school system and to look for excellence, she said. Williams said the school committee has to remember that students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. She said teachers know early on which students are at risk for dropping out and that improving the graduation rate is the “top of the list” for the school committee. The new student-centered learning initiative will mean individual learning plans for each student, Williams noted.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.