INCUMBENT HOLLY SEELIGER RUNS UNOPPOSED FOR DISTRICT 2
Holly Seeliger, a Portland Board of Public Education member representing District 2 (West End, Parkside, Oakdale/USM, and St. John Valley neighborhoods) since 2012 is running unopposed for reelection.
Holly is running on repairs to school infrastructure and the expansion of organic and local school food. She is a member of the Mayor’s Healthy and Sustainable Food Initiative Committee, a task force that can make recommendations to the Council, and serves on the Operations and Finance Committees on the Board of Public Education (the official name of the School Board).
Holly Seeliger at a press conference calling for labeling of genetically-modified food. Dec 2014.
In 2013, Seeliger was the only board member to vote against teacher layoffs. She is working with Reiche school parents to create more teacher positions to keep classroom sizes small.
Seeliger grew up in North Berwick and graduated from the University of Southern Maine. She is a burlesque show performer and producer.
SUDANESE-AMERICAN BROTHER AND SISTER CHALLENGE SCHOOL BOARD INCUMBENTS
Paul Okot of Illsley Street, is running for the Board of Public Education At-Large seat against incumbent Board Chair Sarah Thompson. Paul’s sister, Josephine Okot of Dartmouth Street is making her second attempt at School Board against District 1 incumbent Jenna Vendil.
Paul Okot runs a small business that provides translation services to area companies. He is a graduate of Waynflete School and Bates College. Paul was born in South Sudan and moved to Portland when he was seven. He supports limiting mandatory standardized testing and expanding financial literacy education.
Sarah Thompson works as a administrator at Maine Medical Center. She graduated from Portland High and the University of Southern Maine. Sarah has served on the School Board since 2006 and is running for her fourth term. Sarah currently chairs the School Board.
Josephine Okot, also born in South Sudan, grew up in Portland. She is a social worker and parent of two. Josephine is running on an anti-bullying platform. Josephine ran for School Board once before unsuccessfully in 2011.
She is running against incumbent Jenna Vendil. Jenna was arrested for allegedly operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol in Scarborough this past June. Jenna pleaded not guilty in August and as of print was awaiting trial. She is running for a third term on the School Board.
