The race to represent West Gardiner on the School Administrative District 11 school board pits a former longtime board member who wants to reconnect the schools to the community against a newcomer to politics who wants to restore public trust in the district.

Fred Merrill, 77, who is retired, has grandchildren in the school district and represented West Gardiner on the Gardiner-area school board for 15 years, serving until 2005.

“I’m a strong advocate for the public education of children,” Merrill said. “I think the children get a really good education here, as long as parents are with them. It’s not only about the school system, it’s about the community and how it responds to the schools. There’s always room for improvement. I’d like to improve the academic achievement of our children. I want the community back in the school system. I have past experience that I believe I can use to make things better.”

Brandon Martin, 33, is a parent of three, with two children attending district schools. He works as a public procurement professional and has not previously served or sought elected office.

“I want every student who attends and graduates from MSAD 11 to be fully prepared to be a successful, contributing member of our community,” Martin said. “My professional background will bring practical, collaborative approaches to challenges we face. I have a vested interest in our schools and the skillset to make an impact.”

Martin said his priorities, if elected, would be to address the district’s enrollment decline because fewer students means less state funding; to restore board trust by refocusing on issues that directly affect students and caused public confidence in the board to suffer; and to improve student outcomes by working with educators and families to develop approaches that support student achievement.

Merrill said his top priorities are attending board meetings and being in the community to discuss education; improving communication so residents know how tax money is spent and where schools need improvement, better maintaining school facilities; and increasing parental access and involvement in their children’s education.

Asked he would change in how the schools function, Merrill said he wants to improve the district’s reading program, because every child should be able to read well; everything is harder if you can’t read, and some children need help overcoming challenges to become skilled readers.

Martin said he’d change the district’s approach to budgeting, saying the currently compressed “budget season” of January through May limits meaningful scrutiny and public trust. Instead he’d prefer a year-round approach that examines each budget item and asking what that item accomplishes and whether it is working.

Merrill and Martin are competing for a three-year spot on the board.

Tyler Eldridge is uncontested in the election to fill a one-year term representing West Gardiner on the SAD 11 board.

Gardiner-area school board members are paid a $25 stipend per regular board meeting and $15 per bimonthly and special board meetings.

Elections are set for June 9 at the fire station at 322 Spears Corner Road, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The election will be preceded by the annual town meeting, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, also at the fire station, where residents in an open town meeting will consider the annual budget and numerous other warrant articles.