Three candidates are competing for two open seats on the Brewer School Committee.
Kevin Forrest and Matthew Damon, both incumbents, are running for reelection to their positions on the school committee for another three-year term against challenger Erika Largay.
Residents can vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Joseph L. Ferris Community Center, 318 Wilson St. in Brewer.
Absentee ballots are available up until the third business day prior to the election, according to Brewer’s website. Voters can request absentee ballots online, download an application and mail it to the city clerk’s office, or pick one up at the office. Further details on how to vote and what will be on the ballot are available on the city’s website.
The candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot.
Erika Largay
Erika Largay did not return multiple requests for an interview over several days.
On a social media page dedicated to Largay’s campaign, she wrote that she attended Brewer schools from kindergarten through high school before earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and child development followed by a master’s degree in counselor education.
A lifelong Brewer resident, Largay was a school counselor for 13 years then later changed careers to work in real estate. She decided to run for Brewer school committee because she still loves public education and serving students. Her four children also attend Brewer schools, according to the Facebook post.
“I would love to represent the voice of the community and to support the progression towards educational opportunities for our youth,” Largay wrote.
Kevin Forrest
Kevin Forrest is seeking a fifth term on the Brewer School Committee after holding the position for 12 years.
Forrest, who works as a sales executive for a major U.S. company, said he’s running for reelection because he still enjoys the work, wants to maintain the school department’s position as an asset to the community and believes he brings experience to the committee.
Forrest moved back to Brewer more than 24 years ago after growing up in the city. He graduated from Brewer High School, as did all three of his children.
During his tenure, Forrest said he’s especially proud of how Brewer schools have expanded their ability to teach students for whom English is their second language. The department also added a program that serves kids who are deaf and hard of hearing.
“We’ve welcomed students and hopefully provided them with a good education in recognition of their challenges,” Forrest said. “The diversification of our educational opportunities is a direct reflection of the diversification of our community.”
The school department also launched the Nu Program in 2022, which allows middle and high school students to take some classes online, as certain students found more success with remote learning during the pandemic.
If reelected, Forrest said he’d continue supporting programs intended to serve students who learn differently or have various challenges to overcome, such as a disability.
“We’ve created a caring community where we’re focused on providing all our children with the best educational opportunities,” Forrest said. “I want to continue to build on the successes we’ve had and increase opportunities for all students.”
Matthew Damon
Matthew Damon is seeking a second term on the Brewer School Committee because he feels he’s “just easing into the position.”
“I’ve learned a lot in the last three years and I want to take that knowledge and experience to help make the school system as good as it can be,” he said.
Damon, who works for a wood insulation manufacturing facility, moved to Brewer nearly 20 years ago and his two children attend Brewer High School.
Over the past three years, Damon said he’s especially proud of how the school committee, department administrators and teachers worked together during the pandemic. This required constant communication, and while some disagreements arose, Damon said he and the rest of the committee tried to make the best decisions for students that balanced safety and education.
If reelected, Damon said he’s interested in growing the arts, languages and science programs in Brewer schools and attracting the “best and brightest” educators. However, Damon said this must be done while keeping the school budget level.
“We all know how high taxes are and it’s a balancing act to decide where that money goes and what programs we want to support,” he said.
Damon’s also interested in expanding programming for all students, including those who need more assistance and overachieving students who deserve new and interesting learning opportunities, he said.
“We have a certain amount of money, and the administration does a fantastic job making the school system run,” Damon said. “It’s all about communicating effectively with teachers and administrative staff. We’re doing a great job now, but there are always improvements to be made.”
