Tyler Hodgdon is a number cruncher. He likes budgets, and figuring out how our money is best spent in our local school system. For that reason, Hodgdon is running for another term as a trustee of the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District.

Hodgdon, who has a degree in finance from the University of Maine, joined the board of trustees six years ago.

“When I first came to the board, I expected to really shake things up,” Hodgdon said. “But I was very impressed with the way Eileen King had a handle on our budget. I couldn't find anything to shake up.”

As a steward who oversees a multi-million dollar school budget each year, Hodgdon said he has learned a lot about how the two-board system works.

“We leave it to the trustees to take care of the grounds and the buildings,” Hodgdon said. “It's nice because often time when cuts need to be made, that's where it's made, right out of the brick and mortar.”

Hodgdon is a part-time lobsterman in the summer, and carpenter in the winter. He said he recognizes the value of maintaining our school grounds and facilities. Responsible upkeep is what saves money, Hodgdon said.

One of the challenges in our community is a shrinking student population, Hodgdon said. While it's important to maintain a healthy population and attract new families to the region, Hodgdon said it's equally important to look to the future and follow through with the goal of building a new track and field facility.

The goal is to raise every penny needed to build the facilities, therefore the school won't need to borrow money for the initial installation, Hodgdon said.

As the school system evolves, Hodgdon said he wants to continue to be involved in the decision making process.

“I want to be able to help in some way, and the school is a good place to start,” Hodgdon said.  

May 5 is election day and voting hours will be between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Town Office at 1011 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay.