Adam Stearnebourne — Democrat

1. What are three key issues facing Barrington schools?

First, the construction and renovation projects. We need to build for the next thirty years, not just the next three, which means taking sustainability and our changing climate seriously in these decisions. Second, managing those projects with the least possible disruption to current students. Practical things matter here, like making sure kids still have outdoor space to play while work is underway. Third, an issue not unique to Barrington but important all the same: we cannot teach to the middle. Students with different learning style, and students who need more challenge, both deserve a classroom built for them.

2. What drew you serve on the school committee? 

Watching my daughter start kindergarten while teaching college students gave me a perspective I wanted to put to use. Her journey shows me what children need when they enter school. My work shows me what they need to have gained by the time they graduate.

3. What are some of your interests/hobbies?

I’m a movie fanatic, and I'm slowly turning my daughter into one too. I've also co-hosted a weekly film podcast with a couple of friends for over nine years, closing in on 500 episodes. In addition, I'm writing a book about film and sociology.

Sarah Whiting — Democrat

1. What are three key issues facing Barrington schools?

Three things stand out to me. First, we have major school construction underway, and getting that right, on budget and with minimal disruption to kids and teachers, matters enormously. Second, we have new leadership across the district, and how we support that transition will shape everything else we do. Third, the world our students are heading into is changing fast, and I want to make sure students aren't just absorbing information, but learning how to use it, so they leave here able to apply what they know in the real world.

2. What drew you serve on the school committee? 

I've spent my career helping education organizations turn hard problems into real progress, and I've learned that systems only work when they're built around the people they affect. My son just started kindergarten at Primrose, and that made this feel like the right time to bring that home.

3. What are some of your interests/hobbies? 

Despite the Pats' rough start, I'm still all in. I love being outside, especially skiing, biking, boating, and adventuring with my son Cove, my wife Lauren, and our dog Borus. I'm usually reading something, tackling a house project, or nerding out on how people solve hard problems.