Ken Martin, Merrimack School Board Candidate

Ken Martin

Age (as of Election Day)

40

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Merrimack School Board, 3-year term

Party Affiliation

This position is non-partisan

Family

My wife, Lisa, and I have a son named Emerson and a dog named Percy

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Science in K-12 Music Education from Rhode Island College

Occupation

Director of Instrumental Music, Winnacunnet High School 2015-Current
Music Teacher/Band Director, Goffstown School District, 2006-2015

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

haltermartin.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

There is no greater reflection of the success of a community than its public schools. I have been involved with public schools in some capacity since I was 5 years old, as a student and as an educator. I know the kinds of incredible things that can happen when a school and its community support one another. I know that Merrimack has the ability to be one of the top school districts in NH. I am seeking a position on the school board so I can be a part of the team that makes our schools the envy of our surrounding communities.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Academic recovery due to the pandemic has to be priority number one. My son has yet to experience a “typical” school year and, like many parents, it keeps me awake at night. The School Board needs to work with teachers and administrators to develop strategies to close those gaps while examining past practices to improve what has worked for us in the past and modify what hasn’t.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the only candidate running who is a NH certified K-12 educator with 16 years of experience in: developing and implementing curriculum, working with school budgets, negotiating and ratifying teacher contracts and a working knowledge of how schools operate day to day.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current members are not seeking re-election

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Support the Merrimack School District and teacher’s association to become one of the most desirable and competitive school districts in the state to work for.
Create a 21st century learning environment that provides tools for every student to be successful in the real world.
Address our student retention rate and find where the disconnect occurs.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

For 10 years I was a member of the New Hampshire Music Educators Executive Board where my role was the Large Group Festival Chairperson. As chair, I oversaw the planning and execution of the annual Large Group Festival which is the largest student centered music festival in the state involving over 4,000 students from over 30 high schools and middle schools.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“You will learn something from every teacher you will ever have, whether it’s what you should be doing or what you should not”-Phil Martin, my father

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I teach saxophone lessons out of my house and have coached MYA soccer for my son’s team. I’m also an avid biker and a huge baseball fan.