ROCKLAND, Maine — Competition is developing for two seats on the fractious regional school board.
Jesse Butler of Acadia Drive took out nomination papers Friday for a seat on the Regional School Unit 13 Board.
Butler, a software engineer, said he is running because of his concern that there are a couple school board members who are trying to dismantle the progress that is occurring with the new superintendent and business manager.
“If no one else runs we will have the status quo and the status quo has not been working,” he said.
He and his wife have a daughter in the fifth grade and a son in the first grade.
He will be vying for one of two seats up for election on Nov. 3. The two incumbents — Esther “Tess” Kilgour of Beech Street and Nancy Jeffers of Tea Street also have taken out papers in an effort to win another term. Kilgour was one of the organizers of a petition drive that also will be on the November ballot to begin the process of Rockland withdrawing from the district.
The deadline for candidates to file nomination papers with the city clerk to get on the ballot is Sept. 21.
A contest also is assured for the single open seat on the Rockland City Council.
Challengers Deborah Atwell of Pleasant Street and William Jillson of Lake View Drive already have turned in their nomination papers. Judith Lawson of Main Street also has taken out papers, as has incumbent Mayor Frank Isganitis of Limerock Street, who is seeking a second consecutive three-year term on the council.