SANFORD — Three people are seeking two, three-year terms on the Sanford School Committee on Nov. 7. Those elected will take up their positions Jan. 1.

In the running are incumbent Kendra Williams and newcomers Emily Sheffield and Jennifer Davie. In Sanford, candidates run at large; those earning the most votes are elected.

• Williams was first elected to the Sanford School Committee for a one-year term in 2011 and is finishing up her second three-year term. 

“I’m still as interested and enthused now as in the beginning,” said Williams. She said Sanford School Department has excellent teachers and administrators and she would like to take the knowledge and experience she’s gained and put it to good use.  “I have no particular agenda,” said Williams. “I want to see Sanford thrive and have a good educational systems.”

A clinical social worker, Williams and her husband have raised their three children in Sanford and have six grandchildren.

Williams said she’s convinced Sanford’s younger children who started proficiency-based education in Kindergarten have adapted well to the new form of education. Williams pointed out that the state mandated the new program but left implementation up to municipalities. She said it has created division in the community.

Williams said the School Department’s guidance counselors and the Backpack Program have helped children and families but agreed that poverty has an effect on young people. 

“It’s not always fault of parents either,” said Williams. “When you’re working for minimum wage and trying to keep a car on the road, it can be extremely difficult for families.”

Williams said she’d like to see improved communication and suggested focus groups might generate ideas.

• Sheffield has an adult son and a daughter who is a sophomore at Sanford High School. She works at an insurance company, and is a member of the Nasson Community Center board of directors, Build Our Future and a number of other initiatives.

“I’m running to help build a team who can raise the bar in our educational system,” said Sheffield. She said she has a strong commitment to community service and believes her open collaborative approach would be a plus on the School Committee. 

“I don’t mind working really hard, asking questions and seeking answers while being thoughtful.”

She pointed out poverty doesn’t always mean neglect. Sheffield noted that once a parent realizes the resources they have, along with a helping hand, they can turn their situation around.

She said proficiency-based learning helps children become critical thinkers but said Sanford’s implementation “rubbed me the wrong way.” She said parents were left out of the process.

• Davie is a 1995 graduate of Sanford High school has has four children. She and her husband moved to Sanford a few years ago. She works for a youth sports program.

She said proficiency-based learning is enticing for her as a parent, because each of her children learn differently.  “Pieces of (the program)  are amazing. It is a way to tailor education for individuals to be successful,” Davie said. She said she was concerned that parents did not have much of an opportunity for input and she’ll be a strong advocate for parent participation in the schools.

As to childhood poverty, Davie said it is hard to ask educators to fix what is happening at home. She said programs like the grant-funded Kid’s Club helped students and she was disheartened when  it ended because funding had dried up. Davie said once schools get a grant they should immediately look for the next one, so programs don’t get canceled.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.