MONROE — With a costly new high school about to open and a $2.75 million non-recurring referendum on the ballot, interest in the races for School District of Monroe board is heavy on the minds of the six candidates running for three open seats.

They include Caleb Ahrens, James McKenzie, Jami Cregan, Melissa A. Phillips and incumbents Terri Montgomery and Michael Froseth, Jr

Ahrens, 33, would be a newcomer to the board. Ahrens cites budget issues, preparing students for the future and boosting enrollment as key issues on the minds of parents, students, and voters.

“I am running for school board because I feel students deserve just as many opportunities to succeed today as they did in the past,” said Ahrens, who began his own education in city schools in the eighth grade. “Monroe schools are filled with outstanding teachers, top notch support staff, and great principals that give our students every opportunity to achieve great things in the future.”

McKenzie, 51, would also be new to school board governance. Key issues, he says, are declining enrollment, lack of community trust, and wasted resources.

“I have decades of finance and accounting experience,” he said. “(And) 20 years’ operating my own business. I know how to read a financial statement, balance a budget, cut waste, manage change, and make organizations better.”

Montgomery is currently deputy clerk on the board. Vital issues this year include district budgeting, curriculum, and community collaboration.

“My career as a teacher and curriculum director in Monroe for 21 years provides me the experience and knowledge of how school districts operate,” she said. “I truly believe that this administration and board has been very mindful of the budgeting shortfalls … with that being said, we are at a point where more cuts will significantly cut student opportunities and the district’s ability to effectively educate all students.”

Froseth, 46, said the three most critical issues facing the district are maintaining strong fiscal management, continuing growth, success of academic performance and programs such as youth apprenticeships and the Launch program; and successfully completing the construction and transition to the new high school.

“With three children in Monroe schools, my commitment is personal,” said Froseth. “I want Monroe students to have access to high-quality academics and programs teaching meaningful life skills. I am also motivated to serve on the board by a desire to use my professional experience to support the district while ensuring strong stewardship of taxpayer resources. Having been first elected during the approval of the new school project, I have been proud to help see it through on time and within budget.

Cregan is a newcomer to the board race. Among her biggest concerns are budget challenges, and rebuilding trust in the community. She is a supporter of the referendum’s passage, and cites rancor in the community in recent years around the tough issues.

“I feel that there are many details being judged by community members without all the information,” she wrote on a social media page for her campaign. “I would like to continue to learn and gather information as to how we can continue to move forward in the immediate future but also how we can create change further down the road.”

Phillips, 47, is also new to the school board race. She says that district finances — especially if the April 7 referendum fails — are driving concern in Monroe, along with rebuilding trust in the community and boosting enrollment.

“I served for two years on the Educational Advisory Board at St. Victor’s School, where I contributed to policy updates, including the development and implementation of a new volunteer policy introduced this school year,” she said. “I was also involved for three years in organizing the school’s Annual Gala, its largest fundraiser, which required extensive long-term planning and collaboration. Together, these experiences have strengthened my ability to analyze issues, contribute to policy discussions, and work collaboratively to support schools and their communities.”