School board candidates emphasize listening, governance experience and legal training

Two candidates for MSAD 51 school board seats — incumbent Kim Vine and challenger Lauren Welliver — made brief remarks to voters ahead of the June 10 election, emphasizing community engagement, fiscal oversight and governance experience.

Kim Vine, seeking a second term on the school board, said she has served the last three years and emphasized service as the guiding principle of elected work. “It has been such a privilege to have been able to serve the last 3 years,” Vine said. She noted leadership roles as chair of the equity committee and the finance committee and described her priority as bridging “the gap between the community and the district,” referencing recent district work and the upcoming 1-campus project.

Lauren Welliver, a lawyer and mother of two students, said her professional background would help with listening, evaluating complex information and clear communication as a board member. “I bring a deep respect for the rule of law, and that's really, important today,” Welliver said. She described experience running a business with a board of directors and said that background helps with collaborative budget decisions.

Both candidates emphasized accessibility: Vine said she meets with residents who raise questions and treats each question as she would have liked to be answered when she was not on the board; Welliver encouraged voters to approach her at community events and said she would serve without a personal agenda. The remarks were statements to voters and did not include formal board action.