School Candidates Focused on Achievement

Hampton School Board candidates touched on a variety of subjects during a recent candidates forum featuring that will be decided at the Tuesday, March 13, town meeting polling.

Incumbent Rosemary Lamers and newcomer Patricia Valcich traded views on student education, problem solving, adequate yearly progress and the of during Saturday's debate.

Lamers, a six-year member of the board and its current chairman, said she approaches every situation and problem the same: by picturing "a single child sitting in a chair" and thinking, "How does this affect that child?"

Lamers said, if elected, she would look to improve the academic and made during the first year of . Even though there were improvements, she said the schools still need to improve because the district is officially labeled as a District in Need of Improvement.

"The crux of the goal is continuing the improvement," said Lamers, who said the district also has to continue planning for the eventual overhaul or replacement of Hampton Academy, a project for which she still has no particular preference because the district does yet have enough "input" from the public. "We need to support that process.

"We need to embrace strategic planning. The budget is a tool in having success and reaching that... Our role is to solve problems. We need to have dialogue and come together as five individuals, and once a decision is made we need to all support that position and move forward."

Valcich, a seventh-grade science teacher who has spent her entire 28-year career in Seabrook, said she would like to use her educational background and experience on several athletic and community service-focused boards to help "keep [SAU 90 schools'] greatness" and help lead the district in a way that enhances educational opportunities.

Valcich said "balancing the budget" is "very important" to her, and said she will do so in a way that supports education while making "sure taxpayers are happy." She also said the district "needs to deal with AYP," which she said should have a big influence on the board's decision-making.

"We need to make sure we reach every kid with a targeted response and adding to the areas where they need more instruction," said Valcich, who also said it's "premature" to pick an option for Hampton Academy. "We have to look at student achievement. We need to give them the best quality programs, and we need to support our staff."

Four candidates are running for two school board seats. Lamers and Charlotte "Peppa" Ring are seeking reelection, while Valcich and former board member Rusty Bridle (his candidate letter is available ) are each looking to take one of those three-year seats.

Ring and Bridle didn't attend Saturday's forum, although information about them can be found here. There is also a on Saturday featuring these candidates and others running in the town and school elections.