In Arlington's only contested race for the April 4 town election, three candidates seeking two School Committee seats tried to provide voters with reasons to accept or reject them. At the March 26 Candidates' Night, Joseph Tully touted his honesty, Jeffrey Thielman his educational experience and Cindy Starks her energy. Aiming to be a defining opportunity before ballots are cast, the forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Vision 2020.

About 75 people in Town Hall Auditorium also heard the views of the candidates for selectmen, Clarissa Rowe and John Hurd, both of whom are unopposed.

Here is a summary of comments to all of the questions asked by the moderator, Margaret Coppe of the Lexington LWV. Some questions came from the League, and some came from people who filled out index cards before the event.

Because the race is contested, the six questions asked of School Committee members are presented first. The candidates' statements about themselves provide a snapshot of these three:

Tully, calling service to the town a "privilege" conferred by voters, said he is honest. "Never doubt my motivation," he said. "This election is about judgment." He said he has a track record of resolving disputes. "I won't promise what I can't deliver," he said. An attorney, he is an Arlington native and has two children at the Brackett School.

Starks cited her energy as a volunteer, her problem-solving ability and her collaborative nature. She has two children attending the town's public schools -- one at Ottoson and one at the high school. She noted her change in career from 12 years in high tech to becoming a teacher. She referred to what she calls her "four F's" -- funding, faculty, facilities, and focus "to bring the School Committee together."

Thielman said that during his six years on the School Committee, he has worked hard as an advocate for special education and English language learning. He pointed to existing course offerings as examples of what his service has done. An educational professional, he cited his ability to work with communities. The School Committee has had "difficult choices," he said, adding he has been guided by what is best for teaching and learning. He has two young children.

What qualities do you favor in a new superintendent? What qualities do you bring? What process do you favor?

"I hope the process is open," Starks said. She was part of the search for the new Ottoson Middle School principal, which she praised and hoped would be followed. She said she seeks "great vision" in a superintendent, someone who can move a great school system forward. She said she can work well with all and bring people together.

Tully said he is looking for someone "who has been a superintendent." He noted that the newly named interim assistant superintendent, Wallis Raemer, now the Dallin principal, has no such background. "We need someone with expertise" in issues a superintendent faces. Referring to former superintendent Nate Levenson without saying his name, he said that he "may have been a great CEO," but that did not play out on the educational stage.

Tully said: "I can sit down with a diverse group of people and work out a consensus." As to the process, he said that teachers need to be included.

Thielman cited his 12 years in education plus current work in North Cambridge. He would like a process that is open and transparent, the kind used in 2005 in that superintendent search. He said his bias about qualities include collaboration and being a good communicator, with administrators and beyond. "We need to hold a superintendent accountable to best practices for a 21st-century education," he said. "Sometimes a superintendent has to stand alone."

What are your educational priorities when funding is insufficient?

Tully wants to make sure the town keeps class sizes as small as possible and retain as many teachers as possible. "Everybody's got a set criteria around a core set of goals," he said. "I'm no different." He said the schools have to "chip away at administrative costs." He said he's "seeking efficiencies."

Thielman targeted the school budget, noting "we have $43 million to spend." He said the committee has to be wise to make sure that teachers have sufficient support. He said his No. 1 goal is to "protect the core." He noted his work to back math and reading as well as lobbying for special education. In addition, he said, the town schools need to find ways to save and bring in revenue.

Starks said her top priorities are quality teachers and educational programs. She also wants to seek savings plus new revenue. She seeks collaboration with other towns, schools in regions as well as within the town.

What is your view of the proposed voluntary after-school fund for K-12 students?

"I like it," Thielman said, noting $1.1 million in fees paid in the current fiscal year help support the budget. He said the schools need "anything to diminish" that total.

Starks agreed. She noted the town's population of about 42,000 people and said, "Anyone and everyone should give as much as they can."

Tully responded: "I've never seen a dollar I wanted to turn away." He added that there are "things we could use that money for during the school day rather than use it after school."

What are your views about the condition of Thompson School, of renovation and its impact on the budget?

Starks said she visited Thompson in late February and called it "in a state of sad repair." She said the school's community "shines beyond belief," adding she is "100 percent behind renovation." She called the Thompson community "truly heroes" for having waited so long. As to the budget, she said, "It's time to build."

Tully noted that the discussion about Thompson has continued "for years." He referred to its "dangerous roof" and said, "It's a crime." As to what comes next, "it's up to the state." He made clear he would "factor in" a means to renovate the Thompson in the town's next five-year economic plan.

Thielman said he said he had a "special place in my heart for Thompson," calling it the most diverse school in town. The key issue, he said, is one of equity. He said he attended the state School Building Authority meeting March 25 and would continue to "push" the process at the state level.

What is your view of the proposed way to track individual student achievement? (The Boston Globe reported the story March 25.)

Tully paused and said he was not familiar with the plan. He made clear that students should be tracked and educational standards pursued, but he also said he is "not a huge fan of standardized testing."

Thielman suggested following the way the state of Colorado tracks individual student progress. "I think it's a good way to go," he said, noting that under the current MCAS setup, test results are returned "too late" for them to be as useful as they could be.

Starks said she attended a recent forum on educational funding involving Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester held by Rep. Will Brownsberger in Belmont. MCAS issues were raised, including ways to get results sooner as well as reducing time it takes for students to take the MCAS tests.

How do you view starting school before Labor Day?

Thielman said: "The union said we can't" under the current contract. (The Arlington Education Association declined to discuss changes.)

"I asked that question myself," Starks said, citing the contract.

Tully noted he is a lawyer by training and said that it takes two parties to sign a contract. Teachers may be seen an "unruly bunch" on this issue, but he noted that the School Committee "should have planned ahead."'

The two candidates for selectmen fielded seven questions:

How do you view the liquor question? (There are three questions on the April 4 ballot.)

Hurd said he favors a fourth license (there are now three) if that one is awarded to a business in Arlington Heights. He said he does not support allowing drinks without food, but is willing to continue to discuss it.

Rowe said she said she continues to listen to owners about the food-with-a-drink issue.

How do you view the town and its unions joining the state's Group Insurance Commission?

Rowe and Hurd said they agreed this is a route the town should pursue. Rowe said healthcare is a "budget buster."

Do you support the Mass. Ave. Corridor project?

Hurd, who has been involved directly in this effort to reconfigure Mass. Ave. from Pond Lane to Cambridge, called the project "outstanding" and said it was still in the discussion phase, with issues still to be worked out.

Rowe, a landscape architect, said she agrees with Hurd "100 percent." She said that, long term, the changes would be "wonderful for merchants, cyclists and motorists."

What is the outlook for the Symmes project? (The question drew a groan from the audience.)

"Oh, yeah," commented Rowe. She cited the continued commitment by JPI, the chief developer, despite the nationwide freeze on credit that has stalled the project. She said the selectmen would devise a contingency plan to deal with the potential impact on Town Hall's pocketbook.

Hurd acknowledged that the current project plan had changed from its original intent, as the economy has changed, and that included the lack of a medical facility.

Do you support pay as you throw (PAYT)? (The proposal, to come before Town Meeting again this spring, would change the way residents' trash is removed, requiring a fee for each bag.)

Hurd said he does not support it but does back recycling. "Arlington taxpayers have been very generous," he said.

Rowe favors studying PAYT so that the town has options. She said she would like to have the option "in my back pocket if things get tough"; that is, if the town faces laying off workers.

Do you favor an override to rebuild the Thompson and Stratton schools?

Rowe and Hurd both said they do not back a debt exclusion for these schools for now, in the light of the positive news about Thompson.

What solutions do you see for Arlington's parking problems?

Hurd, who has spent a good deal of time on transportation issues, said he has received some support from town business owners about establishing parking meters along Mass. Ave. Rowe said meters would be "a real step forward."

For local election information, such as the official ballot with candidates and ballot questions, visit arlingtonma.gov/elections.