This story has been updated

A parent who had four children attend Edgecomb Eddy School is seeking a school committee seat. Mark Graham, 48, plans on submitting his nomination papers Tuesday. He is the only candidate seeking to replace current school committee chairman Sarah Clifford, who decided against seeking another three-year term.

Graham has lived in Edgecomb for eight years. He is Camden National Bank’s director of facilities, purchases and records. He has held the position for four years. Graham previously worked in law enforcement for 30 years. He worked for both the Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta police departments.

Graham was approached by current school committee members about running for the vacant seat. He said his children were all well-prepared for middle and high school when leaving Edgecomb Eddy School. Two graduated from college and another is currently a Lincoln Academy senior.

“Lisa Clarke and her staff are awesome,” Graham said. “When my youngest daughter left Edgecomb Eddy she was reading three grade levels ahead of her class. She is now an honors student and I believe her love of reading and education came from Edgecomb Eddy.”

As a school committee member, Graham is looking to increase revenues. He’d like to see more tuition students attend the school. Graham believes as many as a dozen more tuition students would bring in sufficient revenue without increasing the school’s size.

“More students would help defray costs. I think we can add about 12 more students without making the school bigger,” he said.

Graham studied criminal justice and facility management at the University of Maine at Augusta and University of Southern Maine in Gorham. He is currently pursuing an organizational management master’s degree from University of Southern Maine.

“Education is extremely important. It’s a lifelong process so that’s why I’m pursuing a master’s degree,” Graham said.

As of Monday, Graham had 25 signatures. The petition deadline is April 5.