Three candidates, including an incumbent, are vying for two available seats on the Gorham School Committee in the municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Both seats on the seven-member panel are three-year terms.

Kyle Currier, the present chairwoman of the board, is facing challengers Kyle Bailey and John Doyle. Pamela Irish, citing a personal reason, has withdrawn from the race, and Roger Marchand, vice chairman of the board, is not seeking re-election.

The major issue is a multi-million dollar expansion/renovation of Gorham High School, with local taxpayers footing the entire expense. The school opened in 1959 and was expanded in the 1990s.

The American Journal asked each candidate the same set of questions. There are their answers:

Kyle Currier

Age: 51

Occupation: Owner of Kyle P. Currier, CPA, a public accounting firm located at 36 Main St., Gorham.

Political and public service experience: Second term on the Gorham School Committee. Three years on the Finance Committee. Currently serving as chairman of the School Committee.

Q: Should Gorham High School be expanded/renovated and why?

A: I am completely supportive of the expansion and renovation of Gorham High School. I feel that as a community we are responsible to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students and our staff. Gorham High School was built in 1959 and expanded in 1992. It was designed to accommodate 675 students, and current enrollment is 846 students. Classrooms and the cafeteria are overcrowded, parking is inadequate and the current layout makes it challenging to implement necessary security improvements. The expansion will increase the size of the cafeteria, add classrooms, upgrade athletic facilities and provide significantly more opportunity for community members and youth organizations to use the facilities at Gorham High School. Would it be preferable for the state to fund this project? Absolutely. But Gorham cannot rely on Augusta to allocate the funding needed for this expansion. Gorham has a long history of providing an exceptional public education to our students. No one has more vested interest in the success of our students then the citizens of our community.

Q: What other school issue concerns you?

A: The ongoing challenge I see for the school department is the current economic environment in Augusta. The federal and state governments have lowered the funding to Gorham, both town and school, and the state has required the School Department to fund part of teacher retirement and incur additional expenses to conform to the new common core requirements.

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

A: I would like to serve another term because I want to continue making improvements to education in Gorham. I believe my education and professional experience has been a benefit to the budgeting process for Gorham Schools. I have also gained valuable knowledge regarding the complicated funding mechanisms of public education. I am involved in the community, as a volunteer, a parent, a small business owner and as a school committee member. I believe we can provide the highest quality of education for our children only if there is effective collaboration between students, parents or caregivers, administrators and community members.

John Doyle

Age: 32

Occupation: Attorney

Political and public service experience: Served in leadership roles in several education-related clubs and activities. Volunteered in after-school educational programs and served as a new-attorney mentor. Spearheaded the Madison Prize For Written Excellence, an essay competition at Gorham Middle School.

Q: Should Gorham High School be expanded/renovated and why?

A: Having begun my primary school education in a K-12 school building that did not have enough rooms to house each grade separately, I believe that it is great teachers and not elaborate facilities that set the stage for quality education. That being said, facilities must provide a suitable environment for learning. GHS was last renovated in the mid-1990s to accommodate approximately 700 students. Enrollment now stands at approximately 850. A modest and economical expansion for additional classroom and cafeteria space, or a renovation to reconfigure existing space, is warranted in light of the changed student population. However, I do not believe it to be in the best interests of the School Department or the taxpayers to shoulder a debt potentially approaching $15 million (with no state contribution) for a more elaborate expansion. Any renovation or expansion ultimately pursued must give utmost consideration to the burden such an endeavor would place upon Gorham taxpayers. If the School Committee and School Department lose taxpayer confidence in their good stewardship of tax dollars, the provision of education in Gorham may be jeopardized if voter support for future school budgets and school project bond issuances wanes. Being prudent in spending will ensure public support, enabling the department to provide quality education for years to come.

Q: What other school issue concerns you?

A: Gorham’s schools fare well in measures comparing school departments within Maine, but too many students still do not achieve proficiency in the basic areas of reading and math. To provide students with the greatest likelihood of success and breadth of opportunity following the conclusion of their public education here, we must bring these students to proficiency levels. Perhaps, more importantly, we must instill a passion for learning and critical thinking that will motivate students to exceed standards. Improving the quality of education provided in our schools is my primary focus. I believe that providing education through a more student-centered learning model can help students struggling with certain topics to become proficient, while allowing those already proficient in a subject to advance beyond the curriculum normally set for their age and grade.

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

A: As the father of five children, I have a personal stake in the quality of education provided in our schools. My interest in the provision of education goes back many years, pre-dating my honors thesis on the topic in college. I look forward to the opportunity to put my passion for education to work in conjunction with the skills I have obtained in legal practice. If elected to the School Committee, I will advocate for nothing less than the best educational opportunities for the children of Gorham, provided in a way that is affordable for the taxpayers of Gorham.

Kyle Bailey

Age: 30

Occupation: Nonprofit finance and budget professional

Political and public service experience: Volunteered on the Stewardship Committee at First Parish UCC and with New Year›s Gorham. Previously served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. Helped start a future educators program in a high school, and substitute taught.

Q: Should Gorham High School be expanded/renovated and why?

A: Gorham High School was renovated 18 years ago to accommodate 675 students. Its current enrollment is 850 students, or 175 students more than the building was designed to accommodate. A group of town leaders is currently studying solutions to address this issue and plans to make recommendations in January. Our students deserve great teachers, innovative classrooms, and the best facilities that we can afford. These should always be our priorities in building a transparent and responsible budget for our schools. As a member of the Gorham School Committee, I look forward to engaging parents, students, teachers and community members in an ongoing conversation about our budget priorities.

Q: What other school issue concerns you?

A: Since May, I have talked with hundreds of?Gorham parents, teachers, students and neighbors about their experiences with our schools, what they think we do well, and where we can continue to make improvements. Based on these conversations, my priorities on the School Committee will be building a transparent and responsible budget, supporting investments in innovative classrooms, and preparing students for successful careers. I will encourage greater collaboration and resource sharing between our schools and the Recreation Department, adult education, USM and SMCC, and advocate for more opportunities to connect students with local business leaders for career advice, internships, job shadowing and work-study opportunities.

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

A: Growing up, my family taught me the importance of community and the value of a good education. Now, I want to draw on those lessons, and on my own experience, to serve our town on the School Committee. I encourage Gorham citizens to share their thoughts with me so that I am prepared to ask the right questions and make thoughtful budget and policy decisions that will help every student succeed.

Kyle CurrierJohn DoyleKyle Bailey