Two candidates are vying for one seat on the Watertown Board of Education.

Incumbent Michael R. Flick, state Department of Transportation spokesman, has served three years. Challenging him is Aaron R. Clemons, a maintenance worker who has been involved in several local political campaigns.

The Times spoke with them about why they are running for the five-year seat.

MICHAEL R. FLICK

When he first became a board member, Mr. Flick said, he didn't know how the board worked.

"I was surprised how involved it was and how large an organization it actually was," he said. "We work as a team and we work well together."

He said he wants to continue to work with the board to keep lunches affordable, nutritious and also something that children want to eat.

He also has been involved in the district's capital construction projects.

"I realize building maintenance is very important," he said. "You can only defer maintenance for so long. It's also important to keep up the outside of buildings. You don't want a 5-year-old on his first day of kindergarten to walk up to a building that looks horrible."

Mr. Flick has served on the curriculum committee for three years and said he's always looking for ways to increase test scores and tries to keep up with educational initiatives to keep lesson plans interesting.

His favorite part of being on the board is "the feeling like we have an influence over someone's educational experience. I have some small measure in their success."

AARON R. CLEMONS

Mr. Clemons said if he were elected to the school board, his main goals would be to get school spending under control and to implement a school dress code.

"Nothing radical," he said. "Just a pair of khaki pants and polo shirts. Schools are places to learn, not a place to look like you're in a nightclub."

Mr. Clemons, who works for Riptide Realty at an apartment complex in Watertown doing maintenance and grounds work, graduated from Watertown High School in 1997 and has nieces and nephews in the school system now.

"I want to look out for the kids' future," he said.

He has been involved in the campaigns for state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, and Jefferson County Sheriff John P. Burns.

Mr. Clemons said he is a "team player and a hard worker and will work hard to keep spending low."

Mr. Clemons, while serving as a Pamelia firefighter, was charged Feb. 23, 2007, with driving while intoxicated in Watertown. He had a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent, police said. He later pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired. He paid a $300 fine, $45 in court surcharges, $25 in DMV surcharges and a $5 victim fee. His driver's license was suspended for 90 days.

Times staff writer Brian Kelly contributed to this report.