WESTMINSTER — There will be a pair of contested races for the Westminster School Board when voters go to the polls on March 3.
Incumbent Elise Manning is being challenged by John Sciacca for a three-year seat, while incumbent and current board chair Molly Banik is being challenged by David Major.
As a parent of two children attending the school, Manning said she sees an opportunity to generate broad thinking and progressive re-evaluation of the school's needs and strengths by engaging the active help of the community.
“I believe that I can continue to play a strong role on the School Board by bringing energy, insight, and extensive past board experience to our town's governance,” she said in a news release.
Manning was Board President of the Vermont Archaeological Society for two terms, and served on the board of Westminster Cares for six years.
Major is a farmer and a lifelong resident of Westminster, with considerable first-hand experience with local schools as a former student, and as a father and stepfather to five children. He said he wants to ensure that schools embrace the variety and diversity within the community.
Major has served on numerous boards, including as president of the Windham County Farm Bureau, vice-president of the Vermont Farm Bureau, and board member for 4-H Camp Waubanong in Brattleboro.
He said he believes that a collaborative effort by townspeople is required to meet the challenges facing the school system in the most creative and productive manner.
“I want to improve the education of our children by encouraging the facilitation of parental and community involvement,” said Major in a news release.
Sciacca is general manager of Brattleboro Subaru. He has been in the automotive sales business for more than 20 years, most of it in the Brattleboro area. He ran for the school board last year.
Banik, who also served on the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union board, was unopposed when she last ran in 2013.