Two former Concord teachers — one who has served six years on the school board and the other a political newcomer — are vying for a chance to steer education in the city for the next two years.
Incumbent Brenda Hastings is hoping her knowledge of the city and its education system will position her to make good decisions for the district’s future.
Challenger Aaron Thompson says he wants to be more frugal with taxpayer funds while maintaining strong schools.
Thompson is a former Rundlett teacher and current Keene State College and New England College professor. He said he decided to run because he thought he could bring a different perspective to the board, as someone who has seen education as a teacher, coach, college professor, parent of three children in the district and taxpayer.
“I’m very fiscally conservative, and so I’m willing to ask difficult questions about spending and whether every expenditure is actually benefiting our students,” Thompson said. “And at the same time, I understand from being an educator that schools need adequate resources to provide quality education. And I think having different viewpoints at the table and being able to respectfully disagree, ultimately, will lead to better decisions.”
Hastings, who taught at Broken Ground School for more than 20 years, had said initially she did not want to run for a third term. With all the emerging issues facing students today, she changed her mind.
She said artificial intelligence in the classroom, screen time, changing student needs, and open enrollment will all affect the educational landscape.
“I started thinking about all of that stuff and I thought, ‘Hey, I’m not sure I’m done,'” Hastings said.
Hastings and Thompson are running to represent Zone C, which includes city wards 8, 9 and 10. Both candidates stressed the need to be more transparent and open with the public.
Hastings spoke about what this means in practice at the Monitor’s candidate forum Tuesday evening. Thompson was unable to join since it conflicted with his class schedule at New England College.
At the forum, Hastings acknowledged that community members are invited to speak and bring up concerns at public hearings. However, the current structure doesn’t allow for board members to answer public comments.
“I know that is incredibly frustrating to people. I’m sure it’s very frustrating to us sometimes not to be able to say, ‘Well, here’s what we’re thinking,'” Hastings said. “I would love to work with the board and see if there are ways that we can have more of those kinds of meetings where we can interact.”
Hastings said as a board member, she has email and phone call conversations, as well as coffee chats with community members outside of public meetings. However, she thinks more roundtables and personal back-and-forth conversations would help constituents feel heard.
If he wins a seat on the board, Thompson said he wants people to know they can approach him even if they completely disagree on an issue. He plans to make himself accessible to parents, teachers and taxpayers.
“For me, transparency means making sure the public understands not only what decisions are being made, but why they’re being made,” Thompson said. “And if I’m elected, I’ll push for major financial information of proposals to be presented in plain language, encourage public discussion before major decisions are finalized, and make sure people can easily understand where their tax dollars are going.”
Thompson said he has learned, from talking with residents, that people generally care about their schools, but many feel their voices are brushed aside.
“They definitely want strong schools. They’re concerned about the rising cost and property taxes, that’s a huge one,” Thompson said. “And they want more transparency and communication around major decisions.”
Thompson said he would make it a priority to understand state legislation and its financial and educational implications for the district.
In November, taxpayers will vote on a school tax cap. Thompson said he is open to a tax cap, but would have to completely understand how a proposal is structured before giving it his support.
“A cap can create financial discipline, but there needs to be enough flexibility to deal with things that the district can’t fully control,” Thompson said. “And one of those things is special education costs. I think it would also include things like health insurance and contractual obligations.”
Hastings said she would vote against a school tax cap in November. She pointed out that in Ward 1, residents will be voting on both Merrimack Valley and Concord school districts, which she strongly disagrees with.
“It’s got all kinds of legal implications that are a nightmare,” Hastings said.
During the forum, candidates were asked about where the board will get the funding for the Memorial Field project and what they believe the cost-sharing arrangement should be between the city and the school district.
Although she doesn’t know exactly what the cost-sharing arrangement will look like, as a longtime Concord citizen, Hastings said she’s embarrassed that the city doesn’t have a place to hold a graduation or state competition.
“Concord residents support their schools; they always have supported their schools. And we should have done better,” Hastings said.
As a coach, Thompson said he is not against the Memorial Field project or improving athletic facilities. However, he believes the district needs to work better with the city government to be thoughtful and disciplined about spending. He said he would rather see the district prioritize classroom needs, teachers and essential services before committing to major projects.
“When we’re talking and discussing the $600,000 for planning and permitting a loan, I think we need to ask whether this is a necessary expense right now, especially with the financial challenges facing the district,” Thompson said.
Thompson said he believes the board needs to make sure the district’s resources are aligned with its current needs, which means examining staffing, administration, facilities, contracts and other expenses.
Hastings said she can contribute systemic knowledge that she gained during her time on the board.
“I know what it’s like to be a student in Concord, even though it was a while ago. I know what it was like to be a teacher in Concord,” Hastings said. “Now, I know what it means and feels like and the responsibilities that go with being a decision-maker for the school district. And I think when I put all of that together, I can offer a unique perspective on Concord: where we’ve been, where we are and where we hope to go.”
She said board members need to understand what the portrait of their learners looks like in a rapidly changing world.
“We’ve got to keep up with it, or we get left behind,” Hastings said.
The Monitor’s full candidate forum can be viewed on ConcordTV’s YouTube channel.
