On November 4, Belfast voters will consider several candidates to fill two Belfast seats on the Regional School Unit 71 (Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont and Swanville) School Board. They are Madison Cook (declared write-in candidate whose name is not on the ballot), Martha Proulx and Alva Philbrook.

PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to the school board candidates. Here, Alva Philbrook responds to them:

I have lived in Belmont and Belfast most of my life. I am a 1985 graduate of the Belfast Area High School. I own a drywall business that my wife and I have operated since 2009.

My wife Kristi and I have been married for 35 years and have raised four great children, who have all now graduated high school and are hardworking and responsible adults.

We are currently fostering two little wonderful people, a boy who is nine and a girl who is an infant. We are thrilled with this opportunity to enrich these young lives for as long as we have them.

My priorities for running for school board are first and foremost the success of the students. I want to make sure everything necessary for success is available to them. I want to ensure the resources provided are being used wisely so that success can be achieved. I want to ensure the safety of opinions are protected. No student should fear giving their opinion, whether the majority agree or not. Politics are unfortunately everywhere, but my hope is that disagreement will result in discussion not aggression.

I assure you that my reason for running is not to push politics. My reason is there are two open seats and one incumbent. I was asked by some friends to consider running. So after prayer and discussion with my wife I decided I wanted to see if I could make a difference.

Everyone that knows me knows that my family is my greatest treasure. Many who disagree with me politically know that I love young people.  I care about their futures and I care about their educations.

I can promise if elected I will give my all to make sure RSU 71 rates in the highest percentile of success in school and my prayer that success will guide their futures. Thank you, Alva Philbrook 

What do you hope to accomplish as a public K-12 school board member?

What I want see improved test scores and safe an environment for our students.

How do you view the role of public education in the U.S., in Maine, and in the RSU 71 communities? 

I believe it plays a very important role as it is the primary source for many people's education along with their parents to equip students for adulthood.

Is there enough local fresh food from area farms being integrated into RSU 71 free meal program?

According to my research the district has been commended by the Dept. of Education for its incorporation of local fresh foods, however I don’t have firsthand knowledge on the issue. I know that many schools in the district plant gardens which also aid in the school meal program.

Does the curriculum adequately teach all children and teens about their role in a participatory democracy? 

Well, I wouldn't think the whole curriculum would be based on that. I would think that government class or social studies might be where we would learn about our constitutional republic and the difference between that and a democracy. Does it adequately teach that? I do not know because I have not been able to observe it enough to answer honestly.

Should the subject of personal finance be addressed in all grades?

In my opinion, kindergartners and first graders lack the necessary understanding to learn personal finance, but as they grow older, I believe it is essential that this be incorporate into their curriculum, beginning first at home by things like chores and earning allowance.

Do the RSU 71 schools need to strengthen the science and technology curriculum. If so, how so?

I'm uncertain about the answer to that question. While I firmly believe that technology and science are crucial in today's world, if elected, I would want to make sure these programs are grounded entirely in science and technology. Today, with intelligence like AI, careful consideration is necessary to determine whether these programs are enough or if we are going beyond what is reasonable

Are there books that you would want pulled off the school library/classroom shelves? 

I believe that any material that is sexually explicit should be removed from the shelves. Some things are inappropriate for school.

What is your opinion of a cell phone-free policy in schools?

I believe it’s a good policy to avoid distractions but if they are allowed they should be left on airplane mode and not allowed to use it in class unless it’s part of an assignment.

How will you, as a board member, help reduce the fiscal load on the taxpayer to fund education and maintain the facilities?

From what I’m hearing from taxpayers and my own experience,  we are going to have to take a hard look and we may have to make some tough choices to make sure that the resources are adequate, but that there is also no wast and that the programs are working .

If elected to the school board, I believe with high level of consciousness that the money that is being spent is not ours and that the community wants to support our schools, but that they also need to support their own households. Taxes cannot exceed the amount that the average family can afford and still live in this community or we will lose those families and it  is going to hurt us, not help us.

What books are you reading these days, and which do you recommend others read?

I read my Bible daily because  it's where I find my strength and I also enjoy books on the history of our nation, especially the Civil War era because our union was tested to the greatest degree and we survived.

Anything else you’d like to address? Free space!

I believe that the over politicians of the education system nationwide has caused great division in the students across American . I want to see the acceptance of opposing views in our school system to be tolerated without bringing humiliation to a student because of political differences.