The two newest members of the Sanford School Committee, Melissa Simpson and Kelly Termath, share a common goal as they embark on their respective terms on the board.
“I want to advocate for the kids,” Termath said.
“I care about the kids,” Simpson said. “Decision-making is pretty huge as far as making sure we are making the right choices for the kids in the school department.”
Simpson and Termath were sworn in as members during the January 9th School Committee meeting. They are taking over for Jonathan Mapes and John Roux, whose respective terms ended in December.
Simpson, a Presque Isle native, has lived in Sanford for most of her adult life and has been very active in the community. She’s been involved in the PTA at Margaret Chase Smith School and has recently served as its president.
Termath is a lifelong Sanford resident and graduated from Sanford High School in 1997. She’s been a soccer coach and worked as a special education ed tech for the district.
Her experience working in special education is part of the reason she decided to join the committee. Focusing more on special education is an aspect she’s passionate about and hopes to bring more attention to while on the committee.
“I want to see where we can help students improve, what we can help them get,” she said.
Termath frequently attended school committee and city council meetings before running for a seat. Simpson would also attend some meetings and watch the recordings on WSSR-TV’s YouTube page to see what was happening.
“I’m interested to see the process now that I’ve joined,” Simpson said. “I don’t think a lot of people know the work that goes into everything that the school committee does.”
Both Termath and Simspon expect there to be a learning curve to start. But having an open mind and being able to listen, Termath said, is something Mapes offered her as a word of advice.
“He told me to listen a lot,” Termath said. “Sit back, listen, and ask questions.”
“Sitting back, listening, and learning from people who have been here longer than me and seeing where everything lies is going to be a good thing,” Termath said. “I’m trying to take it all in.”