Three Wiscasset residents have volunteered to fill a vacancy on the School Committee. Interviews, open to the public, will begin at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 9 in the high school library.

The vacancy on the committee was created when Chris Cossette submitted his resignation last month. Cossette said in his letter of resignation that he was offered a business opportunity that could have created a conflict of interest, since the company does work for the school district.

Sara Pearce notified the school district by e-mail. Pearce said she is a mother of three who has two sons that attend the Wiscasset Primary School.

"I am and have been interested in the present and future of Wiscasset Schools," Pearce wrote.

"I am involved in state and local politics and in my son's Cub Scout troop."

Pearce is married to Darren Pearce, an engineer at Bath Iron Works.

Douglas Smith, of 105 Cushman Point Road, submitted a letter of interest and a resume, saying he is semi-retired and "has the time to devote to school committee issues and meetings."

"My strengths are in financial planning and analysis, budgeting and construction of physical facilities." Smith graduated Summa Cum Laude from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga. in 1974 and completed the Effective Executive Management Program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Smith had an extensive career with Barnett Banks, Inc., starting in 1978. From 1990 to 1993 he was president and CEO of Barnett Bank of Pasco County, the tenth largest affiliate bank, with over $1 billion in assets and 350 employees. From 1993 to 1999 he was the owner, president and CEO of three corporations in the Florida Keys. He and his wife have lived in Wiscasset for seven years.

Susan Zysk, of 14 Howard Lane, is the third candidate. A Wiscasset resident for five years, Zysk helped the system secure a grant for after school activities, she has been a substitute teacher at the middle school, and she coaches swimming three days a week at the community center.

She received a B.A. in journalism from San Diego State University in 1971 and a Masters Degree in Education, Guidance and Counseling from Providence College in 1992. She is a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Ready Reserve, having served as Administrative Officer and Educational Services Officer in Virginia Beach, Va. From 1976 to 1978. Prior to that, she was Initial Assignment Officer from 1975 through 1976 in Newport, R.I; and was Assistant Public Affairs Officer from 1973 through 1975 in Norfolk, Va. She is married to Tom Zysk, president of Technology Systems, Inc.