GORHAM – Gorham voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4, will choose three School Committee members from a field of four candidates, including two incumbents.

Incumbents Dennis Libby, School Committee chairman, and Sara Nelson are facing challengers Forrest Genthner and Suzanne Phillips. School board member Kathy Garrard is not running.

The three available openings on the seven-member School Committee are each a three-year term.

Forrest Genthner

Age: 19

Occupation: College student

Political experience: 2012 Obama presidential campaign; delegate at the 2013 presidential inauguration; Town Council candidate, 2013; elected the secretary of the Cumberland County Democratic Committee, 2013; elected chairman of the Gorham Democratic Town Committee, March 2014; worked on numerous campaigns for local, state, and national candidates.

Q: What is the No. 1 educational issue in Gorham?

A: Preparing our students to be properly trained, whether they attend college, or enter the workforce or the military.

Q: Why do you want to serve on the School Committee?

A: As a student who attended grades K-12 in Gorham, I know what works and what doesn’t work. I want to make sure that our schools are the best not only for our students and teachers but also for the taxpayers. I want to help enable transparency in the school budget so that we can have a valid discussion with one another on what needs to get done. If elected to the school committee, I will sit down with anyone and everyone who wants to work on improving our schools.

Sara Nelson

Age: 45

Occupation: Stylist with Stella & Dot; owner of the Dreamy Dragonfly, fundraising consultant.

Political experience: Third year of first term on the School Committee; chairs Personnel Committee and member of Policy Committee, Wellness Committee, Substance Abuse Committee and contract negotiation team.

Q: What is the No. 1 educational issue in Gorham?

A: Our major challenge is developing and managing a fiscally responsible budget. We must take into account both managing our tax rate and providing our children with a robust, engaging education that will build a strong foundation for life long learning. As state funding continues to be in limbo from year to year, demands on teaching change and Gorham continues to grow, we must find the right balance of expense allocation to support a well-rounded, strong education for our kids.

We are also are heading into our superintendent’s last year and are in the process of hiring a new superintendent. It will be important to understand the climate and culture of our district in order to hire the best possible candidate.

Q: Why do you want to serve on the School Committee?

A: I have three years of experience on the School Committee. I have a vested interest in our schools with two children attending school here. I believe an education is your door to opportunity, to be bigger than you thought you could be, to grow. My background in managing nonprofit budgets, donor expectations and client expectations has taught me to listen, discuss and respect all views when making a decision and to be responsible and thoughtful when managing a budget while still supporting organizations who are doing great things. As a business owner, I know that innovation, collaboration and strong management skills are needed to move forward. It is no different from moving education forward for our children – making sure our district is supported to be innovative, engaging, responsible and a safe environment to support life-long learning while making decisions that take into account all of Gorham’s residents. I will dedicate the time and energy into this position as I have for the last three years.

Dennis Libby

Age: 47

Occupation: Maintenance technician for Woodfords Family Services.

Political experience: Nine years on School Committee, four years as chairman. Served on finance and personnel subcommittees, the Vocational Education Representative, and served on many district-level committees such as 21st Century, Pre-K, K-5 Transition and both All Day Kindergarten committees. Also served negotiating teams for union contracts

Q: What is the No. 1 educational issue in Gorham?

A: Hiring a superintendent is the most important task for a School Committee. Superintendent Ted Sharp has done a great job for our district and finding a successor to fill his shoes will be crucial to keeping us heading in the right direction. Having served on the School Committee for nine years, and being chairman for four of those years, I have had the opportunity to see first hand what it takes to run a district. If re-elected, I plan to be heavily involved in the search process for our next superintendent and the transition to follow, to keep our district heading in the right direction.

Q: Why do you want to serve on the School Committee?

A: I have always been dedicated to providing the opportunities our students need to be successful in school and to prepare them for whatever they choose to pursue in life. I feel fortunate that our community supports our schools so strongly. Being part of the school community is truly an honor, and I hope the voters of Gorham support me in continuing to work on behalf of our students.

Suzanne Phillips

Age: 38

Political experience: One term on the Gorham Town Council; Finance Committee (three years, one year as chair), Personnel Committee (two years), Economic Development/Capital Improvements Committee (one year)

Q: What is the No. 1 educational issue in Gorham?

A: The most significant educational issue in Gorham will be the selection of the new school superintendent, which will have a lasting and deep impact on our school systems.

Q: Why do you want to serve on the School Committee?

A: As an active member of the community, I have the desire to continue to make a positive impact in the place I have lived since a young age. I have always held the belief that community should be the central focus of our municipal government, with importance placed soundly on our children. The programs and curriculum adopted by our school system should reflect the ideals and heritage that represents Gorham. My background in education and experiences in child care have furthered my passion for creating the next generation of Gorham. This election, above others, will fundamentally impact and shape our schools, with the selection of a new school superintendent. As part of the Gorham Town Council’s Personnel Committee, I have been an active participant in the selection process of various appointed positions, as well as the appointment of a new town clerk. I know my past experiences will assist me with the goals of the School Committee, as we look to build a strong foundation with the addition of the new school superintendent.

Forrest GenthnerSara NelsonDennis LibbySuzanne Phillips