School Committee candidate Laurie Spear says Wareham schools have a lot to offer, but that’s difficult to know if you believe everything posted online.

“You open Facebook or social media and all you see is bad news about Wareham schools,” said Spear. “There’s so much negativity, and I want to do something about it. I want to be part of the solution.”

Spear is a a general manager of training for a restaurant company, managing one of the stores and ensuring new managers are trained. She moved to Wareham four years ago from Marshfield with her husband and two children to be closer to her mother. Both of her children currently attend Wareham Middle School.

She said deciding to run in the April 4 town election was partly based on combating the negative perception some have of Wareham schools. This is her first time seeking public office and the support she’s received has been overwhelmingly positive, said Spear.

“Former School Committee members, a principal and others have reached out,” she said. “It’s been amazing how accepting everyone has been of my decision to run despite me being fairly new in town.”

Spear said she’s interested in taking part in the budget process while on the committee, adding that her experience in management would be an asset if elected.

As a parent, she’s helped out at various fundraisers and school functions throughout the years.

By seeking a seat on the School Committee, she said she hopes other parents will step forward and become more active in the district at all levels.

“I would love to see more parents become involved in the schools and with the School Committee,” said Spear.