AUBURN — Two residents have been sworn in as members of the School Committee, bringing it to a full complement of eight.

Daniel F. Poisson Sr. represents Ward 5 and Brent M. Bilodeau is an at-large member. They attended their committee meeting June 17.

Poisson said he’s been considering serving for a long time. “I’m hoping to make this budget process a little better, to work with the City Council a little more and have a better transition than we’ve had the past few years.”

The budget process seems to “happen all at once,” he said. “Tempers flare. I don’t approve of that.” Poisson said he hopes that budget negotiations will start earlier to avoid decisions in the last two months before the June referendum.

“We need to work together better, like a family, and come to a solution,” Poisson said.

The budget passed June 9 seemed fair, he said. He plans to run for the two-year term in the Nov. 3 elections. “I’m hoping to get along with everybody.”

He is the grandfather of two, and the father of three who have attended Auburn schools and graduated from Edward Little High School. “Two are in college,” he said.

Poisson, 48, and his wife, Heidi, also graduated from Edward Little.

He attended the Lewiston Regional Technical Center and took considerable additional training. Poisson is a technician/owner/manager of Poisson and Sons Auto Care on South Main Street.

Bilodeau said when he and his wife, Tammy, saw there was an open position on the School Committee, “we talked about one of us running.” The timing of the opportunity to serve was good.

“I wanted to become more involved with the school system, helping (Auburn students) meet proficiency-based standards,” he said.

Bilodeau, 39, works in technology support for a software company. He and his wife have two children in the school system, a son at the middle school, a daughter at Sherwood Heights. Bilodeau graduated from Jay High School and attended Bates College in Lewiston.

The budget passed June 9 was “too low,” Bilodeau said, adding, “I’m a realist. I understand there are limitations. The schools need to realize what we can expect for budget increases and live within those means.”

Like Poisson, Bilodeau said he favors starting the budget process earlier in the year.

In the past 16 months, four out of eight committee members quit for health or personal reasons. In March, 2014, Mike Farrell of Ward 1 quit; in May of 2014, Tracey Levesque of Ward 4 quit; in November, at-large member Ron Potvin stepped down, followed by Larry Pelletier of Ward 5 in January.

New members Christopher Langis and Peter Letourneau stepped up to serve, but until Wednesday, the committee was still two members short.

Superintendent Katy Grondin said she’s pleased there’s a full committee to represent the city.

“Both members have a desire to make a difference in providing a high-quality education for children,” Grondin said. “I look forward to working with them, and appreciate their willingness to serve in this important role.”

Other members are Letourneau of Ward 1, Bonnie Hayes of Ward 2, acting Chairman Tom Kendall of Ward 4, Langis of Ward 4; Laurie Tannenbaum, at large, and Mary LaFontaine, the mayor’s representative from the City Council.

All School Committee members’ terms will expire on Dec. 31, according to Deputy City Clerk Alison Pepin.

Nomination papers will be available July 6 and must be filed in the city clerk’s office no later than Sept. 4. The election is Nov. 3.

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