Three political newcomers are running unopposed for three seats on the Portland Board of Public Education in November. The three seats are open because the current Board members holding those seats are not running for re-election this year.

At-large Board of Public Education member Usira Ali and District 4 member Fatuma Noor—each of whom has served one three-year term on the board—are not running again this year. In addition, District 5 member Sarah Brydon—who is completing her second three-year term and is chair of the Board’s Finance Committee—also is not seeking re-election.

Three newcomers to elected office are running for those seats. They are:

●      Lucia Rico, who is running for the at-large seat held by Ali.

●      Alexandra Reissman, who is seeking the District 4 seat held by Noor.

●      Richard Leone, who is running for Brydon’s District 5 seat.

All three were the only candidates to take out and successfully return nomination papers to the Portland City Clerk’s office by the deadline of July 27. Their names will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Rico, 53, works for United Way and is a member of the Foundation for Portland Public Schools’ board. Her children are Portland Public Schools graduates and she previously worked for PPS as a substitute Spanish teacher.

Reissman, 44, is the parent of three PPS students and a Reiki practitioner.

Leone, 45, the parent of a preschool age child, works as assistant director of group benefits for The Hartford insurance company.

For more details, read a Portland Press Herald story about the candidates.