Brewer elects 1 newcomer and an incumbent to school committee

Brewer voters elected newcomer Erika Largay and gave incumbent Kevin Forrest another three-year term on the Brewer School Committee in Tuesday’s election.
Largay earned the highest number of votes at 2,617, followed by Forrest and Matthew Damon, who gathered 2,338 and 2,039 votes, respectively, according to unofficial results Wednesday morning.
Largay did not return multiple requests for an interview prior to the election, but wrote on a Facebook post dedicated to her campaign that she decided to run for School Committee because she has a passion for public education and wants to serve students.
Largay attended Brewer schools from kindergarten through high school before earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and child development followed by a master’s degree in counselor education.
Largay was a school counselor for 13 years, then changed careers to work in real estate. Her four children now attend Brewer schools.
Forrest earned a fifth term on the School Committee after serving on the body for 12 years.
Forrest, who grew up in Brewer and graduated from Brewer High School, said he wanted more time on the committee because he wants to maintain the school department’s position as an asset to the community.
Before the election, Forrest told the Bangor Daily News he’s proudest of how Brewer schools have expanded their ability to teach students for whom English is their second language as well as those who are deaf and hard of hearing.
The school department also launched the Nu Program during his tenure, which allows middle and high school students to take some classes online if that’s how they learn best.
In the coming years, Forrest said he plans to continue supporting programs intended to serve students who learn differently or have various challenges to overcome, such as a disability.
Damon, who has lived in Brewer for nearly 20 years, was running for a second term on the Brewer School Committee.