The Mattapoisett town election is Tuesday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Old Hammondtown School. Read about the candidates for School Committee below.

Patrick LeClair, 46

Occupation
I have been teaching biology for 19 years, the last 16 in the town of Marshfield.

Relevant experience
I have a master’s of education in school leadership from Cambridge College and currently hold school principal licensure. I have worked on various committees in my career, from the hiring of staff to the development of new curriculum. Not only do I serve as the vice chairman of the Mattapoisett School Committee, but I also serve as the co-chairman of the Joint School Committee.

What prompted you to run for another term?
Educating children is a pre-kindergarten to 12 endeavor and rarely do you see immediate results from new initiatives. During my first tenure the committee, I worked on issues ranging from Common Core to the preparation for MCAS 2.0, and I look forward to seeing these new initiatives achieve success.

How do you view the current education system in Mattapoisett?
The school system in Mattapoisett is operating quite well.

What areas would you like to see the School Committee address in the next term?

Even though I only represent the elementary schools in Mattapoisett, the responsibility for educating the children of Mattapoisett does not end there. Recently there has been a lot of discussion at Joint School Committee meetings on the current and anticipated budget issues currently facing the junior and senior high schools. I would like to see these early efforts continue so we can begin working on educating the stakeholders in the three communities about the issues and offer the opportunities for them to be heard.

Rachel Westgate, 39

Occupation
Sixth grade teacher

Relevant experience 
Almost 15 years in education as a teacher and administrator in many different types of schools – from inner city, middle class town to private day and boarding schools.

What prompted you to run?
I have lived in Mattapoisett on and off for almost 20 years and have a long family history here. I have just moved back here permanently and am looking for a way to give back to the community. I thought this would be a good position for me given my professional experiences.

How do you view the current education system in Mattapoisett?
I think that Mattapoisett schools are strong which is why so many people want to raise their families here. If elected, I would work to continue hiring the best teachers and administrators possible and to support the partnership between home and family in support of students.

What areas would you like to see the School Committee address in the next term?
I believe in the education of the whole child. Moving forward, I believe it is important that students and teachers have access to technology to engage students in learning and to best prepare students for today's world. It is also imperative that our schools have the necessary resources to meet the social and emotional needs of our students.

Daniel Wright, 29

Occupation
Guidance counselor at Dartmouth High School

Relevant experience
Bachelors degree accounting/finance, master’s degree in school counseling, two+ years experience creating and monitoring budgets for a corporate finance department, and four+ years working in education.

What prompted you to run?
I have always given back to the community I live in and will continue to do that here in Mattapoisett where my own two kids will be going to school.

How do you view the current education system in Mattapoisett?
The current education system in Mattapoisett is very good, which is why we chose to live in this town. From my perspective, the staff, faculty and administration really care about fostering the growth of the young children in Mattapoisett.

What areas would you like to see the School Committee address in the next term?
I would like the School Committee to focus on implementing social/emotional stress relievers throughout the school day. The needs of each student at a young age to develop coping skills is very important and we as educators need to help provide lessons and supports for students to use now and in the future. This would require that we give all educators the resources and professional development in order to make this a success. I would also like to see positive living skills integrated throughout each classroom. Students need to learn at a young age the simple joys in life.