Two candidates are running for a seat on the Hopkinton School Board — one is a teacher and the other works for the state Department of Education.

Richard Sala is the director of the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation at the New Hampshire Department of Education, where he oversees programs and policies to help those experiencing disabilities in the workforce. Suzanne Carmichael is an English teacher at John Stark Regional High School in Weare.

Both candidates agree on the importance of strong education while managing the town’s tax burden but differ in their views of education freedom accounts

Carmichael recognizes that, if elected, some may question a potential conflict of interest due to her role as a teacher and union member. However, she noted that her 15 years of experience negotiating contracts at John Stark Regional High School and her familiarity with many local teachers' agreements would help her as a school board member.

She also said she would recuse herself when necessary but believes having an educator’s voice on the board is critical, especially in contract negotiations, where she sees an opportunity to strike a fair balance between teachers and taxpayers.

“Very rarely are teachers actually ever given any say in how things are run,” said Carmichael. “I think that if more decisions were in the hands of teachers, things might be a little bit different.”

To keep the budget in check, Carmichael proposed rethinking the approach to hiring new staff.

She said that during contract negotiations, she focuses on “low-cost, no-cost” solutions, which could include more prep time or affordable benefits that don’t strain the budget.

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“We are looking at those sorts of things, but talking to people and figuring out what they need, and how’s the best way to maximize the budget,” Carmichael said.

Sala said he decided to run for the school board after noticing that the school budget in Hopkinton was increasing every year. He felt that if this trend continued, it would drive him and many other residents, especially those on fixed or low incomes, out of town.

“This is not sustainable,” said Sala. “I believe that we can have both excellent schools and a fair budget. I just decided I would take a chance and try to be a voice for those people.”

Instead of just accepting the proposed budget, Sala said he would ask for alternatives as well.

“What would it look like if the budget this year was flat? What would it look like if the budget increased this year was 2% and then, you know, what is your proposed budget?” said Sala. “Then start to dig in on those. That would be my approach.”

He said he would seek out other funding sources, such as donations, and that he doesn’t want to change the state’s approach to school budgets.

Carmichael said the current state of the school voucher programs needs to change, with audits and greater transparency. 

“We’re siphoning off money from public schools,” said Carmichael.

Sala would like to see the school voucher program expand.

“I think anytime yo u can increase or anytime you  can put parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s education, that’s positive,” Sala said.

WHEN AND WHERE: Election Day is March 11, with voters able to cast their ballots at the Hopkinton Middle/High School Gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The annual school district meeting will take place on March 15 at 9 a.m. at the high school.