Two political newcomers and an incumbent are competing for two Cape Elizabeth School Board seats in the Nov. 5 election.

Sitting board member Michael Moore, 42, faces Susana Measelle Hubbs, 46, and William Gross, 67.

Gross is a retired engineer with a variety of work experience. He wants to serve on the seven-member board because he wants to help balance the requirements of providing educational excellence with the needs of teachers and the burden on taxpayers.

For the last few years, Gross has volunteered a few days each week in a freshman honors physics class, which he said has given him an unusual window into the workings of the school district.

“I see a lot of things where minor changes could make a big difference,” said Gross, whose two children graduated from the town’s public schools.

Gross said he would promote innovative budgeting ideas that would lessen the town’s dependence on state education aid. He also wants to help shape the district’s new strategic plan to support an educational model that allows students to learn at their own pace. And he wants to change the teachers’ contract to reward the best teachers with larger salary increases and reduce the salary increases of “less-able” teachers.

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Hubbs, who is an artist, said she decided to run because she wants to give back to her community and all three of her children attend town schools.

She said she’s happy about the school district’s progress with a new superintendent, Meredith Nadeau, and several other new administrators.

“I’m excited about the direction that the district is heading,” Hubbs said. “I feel all the ducks are in a row now for the district to succeed in many areas.”

Hubbs said she supports a holistic educational model that ensures students are graded on what they know. She envisions a strategic plan that focuses on narrowing the achievement gap for kids who aren’t succeeding, as well as for kids who are gifted.

“They all should have the opportunity to go further,” Hubbs said.

Moore is an investment adviser who also has three children attending town schools. He’s wrapping up his first three-year term on the board.

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“We have great momentum in the school district right now,” Moore said, noting several new administrators. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm for doing things differently. It’s an exciting time and a great environment to be part of.”

Moore said the shift to Common Core learning standards may require significant changes in instruction and assessment. He said he hopes to help develop and implement a strategic plan for the next five years that contains clear, honest goals.

“It’s a great opportunity to look at how we’re delivering education,” he said. “To see what we’re doing well and what we can do better.”

Kelley Bouchard can be reached at 791-6328 or at:

kbouchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: @KelleyBouchard


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