WINDHAM – On Nov. 8, Windham voters will choose two representatives to the Regional School Unit 14 School Board, both of whom will serve three-year terms.

Incumbent Kate Brix, who has served nine years on the Windham School Committee and RSU 14 (Windham-Raymond) School Board, is again running for a spot on the board, as are newcomers Bethany-Ann Davis and Dawn Perkins.

While Windham and Raymond share a school district as a result of consolidation in 2008, Raymond and Windham voters separately choose their representatives. Windham has six board members while Raymond has three. Each member is an at-large representative.

The Lakes Region Weekly posed the following list of six questions, each of which had a specific word limit, to the three Windham candidates:

Kate Brix

Address: 5 Wildflower Lane, Windham

Education: Bachelor’s degree, business (marketing)

Occupation: Mother, advocate, volunteer

Q: What is motivating you to run for the School Board?

A: I come from a long and extensive line of educators and, while I have a business degree, I probably should have been a teacher. I am deeply committed to providing quality education to the youth of Windham and have worked diligently toward that goal for the past nine years. The challenges are great, especially with the current economic climate. I believe having experience on the School Board will be invaluable as we move forward in our efforts to provide quality and forward-thinking programming, allowing our students to have a strong foundation for the future.

Q: What three issues do you think are most pressing for Windham-Raymond schools? And what would you do to address those issues?

A: The most pressing issue for our schools is the financial crisis of this state and the impact it has on our school budget. Continued scrutiny of every facet of our budget will be necessary, but I believe we are reaching a point where the quality of programming will be impacted with further budget cuts.

Unlike other areas of the state, RSU 14 has had an increase in enrollment in Windham Primary School, and Windham Middle School is operating at over capacity. Both Raymond Elementary School and Jordan-Small Middle School are operating at 50 percent capacity. Additionally, our low rank on the list for state funds for a new middle school requires a close analysis of how we can efficiently use all of our buildings in the RSU to ensure quality programming for all students.

And last, but certainly not least, is moving forward with the work of the district’s Strategic Plan which was crafted with extensive public input resulting in the following goals: (1) Provide our students with a revolutionary learning environment; (2) Attract, hire and retain the highest quality staff; and (3) Provide a technology-rich environment to allow participation in a competitive, global marketplace.

Q: What did you think of the proposal to close Jordan-Small Middle School last year?

A: While controversial, it was a good first step to discuss Raymond’s continuing decline in enrollment and the resulting inefficient use of RES and JSMS. It came at a time when consolidation was fairly new to residents of both Windham and Raymond and demonstrated the continued work to be done for residents to make the shift to feel like one educational family. Nothing was more important than to hear from the public and see how passionate they are about their children’s education.

Q: The school budget, which increased 3.1 percent this year, comprises almost 80 percent of Windham property tax bills. Are you comfortable with the current level of school funding?

A: RSU 14 offers an extremely good value with a per pupil cost of $8,976. The Maine average per pupil cost is $9,631. There are 229 school districts in Maine and 150 have higher per-pupil cost than our district, including Westbrook and Gorham. We are extremely diligent in looking for creative ways to get the most bang for our buck, which is a huge testament to our hard-working staff. I fear that continued cuts to our programming will have a negative impact on student achievement.

Q: Do you agree with the new union contract that gave teachers a 2 percent salary increase this year?

A: Teachers are the very backbone of student success. Last year the teachers decided to forgo their cost of living increase to assist a very difficult budget season. We were able to consolidate the two teacher contracts into one this year, which is a huge accomplishment and demonstrates the positive culture we strive to maintain. Ninety-nine percent of our classes are taught by Highly Qualified Teachers. Keeping that in mind as well as the importance our citizens place in attracting, hiring and retaining the very highest quality staff (Strategic Plan Goal No. 2), I endorsed the 2 percent salary increase.

Q: What else should the voters know about you?

A: It would be a huge honor to continue to be a member of the RSU 14 School Board. There is much work to be done and I would appreciate the opportunity to continue this work on behalf of our children. Please take the time to vote. Bring your children or grandchildren and show them first-hand what democracy is all about. It is an invaluable civics lesson.

Bethany-Ann Davis

Address: 21 Bittersweet Way, Windham

Education: Westbrook High School (1993 graduate), Southern Maine Community College, University of Southern Maine, Plymouth State University

Occupation: DataMart Support Specialist, TD Bank

Q: What is motivating you to run for school board?

A: I made the decision to run for School Board for several reasons, the first and foremost being that education is very important. I am proud to be a member of this community and want to become part of the strategic planning for both educational and fiscal success in RSU 14. A strong educational system in any community is appealing to parents and potential new residents and presents better opportunities for the students and community alike.

Q: What three issues do you think are most pressing for Windham-Raymond schools? And what would you do to address those issues?

A: • Facilities and building planning – This is has been a hot topic of conversation and I recognize that our communities will continue to grow and the needs and accommodations within our schools will need to be revisited. I believe that with more information and consideration we will be able to find a solution that will better accommodate the needs of RSU 14.

• Finance – I will work with other responsible parties to maintain a fiscally responsible budget, while keeping with and continuing to grow the integrity of our educational system.

• Policy development – I will welcome the opportunity to become involved in the review process, policy amendments and new policy discussions.

Q: What did you think of the proposal to close Jordan-Small Middle School last year?

A: While I recognized the substantial amount of time and money that went into researching the proposed school closing options, I just didn’t see that the proposed cost savings was a fair trade for the disruption to the students and the families that came with closing any of the schools at that time. I do recognize that as we continue to grow as a school community (meaning both Windham and Raymond together) that we will need to consider all proposals presented to the board. I believe that a viable and successful option can be attained.

Q: The school budget, which increased 3.1 percent this year, comprises almost 80 percent of Windham property tax bills. Are you comfortable with the current level of school funding?

A: Education is the key element and a fundamental building block to the success of our children and community and what we contribute to our community’s education is also crucial to the success and appeal of our community. I also believe that we need to continuously monitor and review our expenditures and anticipate future expenditures in an effort to promote fiscal responsibility and management of the school budget, which will in turn serve the entire community.

Q: Do you agree with the new union contract that gave teachers a 2 percent salary increase this year?

A: I feel that there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when reviewing budgets, contracts and the go forward plan. The town of Windham needs to be competitive with teacher salaries. Having the ability to attract new and maintain existing educators by offering competitive salaries is vital to moving our community in a positive direction and would ultimately benefit both our children’s futures, as well as that of our town appeal to potential residents.

Q: What else should the voters know about you?

A: I am a proud wife and mother of three. We enjoy the small town, family feel of Windham, and are confident in the school system. Through my involvement with Windham Youth Soccer as spectator, coach, Division Coordinator, and being a Girl Scout leader, I have the opportunity to know many of the children and families throughout the community. Reflecting on this, I realize my connection in this town revolves around our children at soccer fields, school functions, Girl Scout events, etc. Therefore, I have decided to run for School Board and contribute to the betterment of our education system and community.

Dawn Dillon Perkins

Address: 36 Harding Drive, Windham

Education: Master’s degree, business administration; bachelor’s degree, marketing and management.

Occupation: Long Term Disability Claims, Unum

Q: What is motivating you to run for school board?

A: I have three children – Dillon Perkins in 10th grade at WHS, Devin Perkins in seventh at the Middle, and Delana Perkins in first at Primary. My husband, Dana Perkins, has always lived in Windham. Education is the most critical thing we bring to our children and our future leaders. We have to improve our system of education to compete locally and for our future economic growth. I believe my own education, my work, and life experiences make me a strong candidate. My excitement about education will allow me to work with our community to bring positive effects to our schools.

Q: What three issues do you think are most pressing for Windham-Raymond schools? And what would you do to address those issues?

A: 1. Costs: Property taxes and education costs are on a collision course. We need to look at the stakeholders in the educational process. Are we educating our children in the most efficient and cost effective manner? Are our students prepared to work and learn in the 21st century? Are we prepared to meet the demands that confront our country and our global economy? This is not only a local problem, but a state and national problem.

2. Developing a better end product. We as a community should take great pride that with each high school education we have prepared our young people for the challenges that lie ahead of them. We need to invest in our teachers, providing them with the tools they need to enable them to teach. We need to make sure that our teachers in the middle school and high school have been academically prepared to teach the courses that they teach. Our teachers need to be supported in their own development and held accountable for that development.

3. Community awareness. My desire is to listen to the parents and the teachers. I don’t believe we should make rash decisions without researching the cause and effects of our decisions. I hope to be a liaison with our people and develop the members of our community to understand the education of our children is a priority. Our desire should not only be to develop good student athletes, but more importantly, good and productive citizens. Bullying will not be tolerated in any shape or form. Respect for each other is key. We need to look at the drug and alcohol problems in our schools and find solutions. Our children should not allow the social media to take over an ability to problem solve and utilize effective communication skills.

Q: What did you think of the proposal to close Jordan-Small Middle School last year?

A: Everyone wants the school budget to cause the least increase in property taxes as possible. Sometimes this means closing down buildings that are not being used in the most cost-efficient manner, and moving personnel around to meet the objectives of the overall business plan of the company. Like it or not, our schools are businesses. We are in the business of providing the best educational possible by being prudent stewards of the money that is given to us by the taxpayers of our communities. So the greater issue is; how we educate, than where we educate that confront our community.

Q: The school budget, which increased 3.1 percent this year, comprises almost 80 percent of Windham property tax bills. Are you comfortable with the current level of school funding?

A: School budgets historically have needed the greater percent of our tax income. In colonial times the largest cost to the town was for the education. The real question is the way we fund our public education system. And, does more money mean better education? Does education need to be supplemented by other funding such as value added tax through the state?

Perhaps each school district would present their budget before the Secretary of Education for review and approval. In this case, the cost of education would be shared by all, and all Maine communities would be put on an equal footing financing their education system. If this were to become the model, then the education of an elementary student in Windham would be the same as a student in Fort Kent, Falmouth, Eastport, and Greenville.

However, if we do not begin to think outside the box and develop a more cost effective way of educating our children and paying for that education, then we may spin our wheels, burn out, and have no advancement. We can recognize the truth that is before us, property taxes and education need to be examined in a whole different manner.

Q: Do you agree with the new union contract that gave teachers a 2 percent salary increase this year?

A: I have no issue with the teachers in our district receiving a 2 percent raise. Our teachers are underpaid for all the work that is required of them. From teaching responsibilities, to being a social worker, child psychologist, learning specialist, and in some cases being a father or mother figure for their students. Like all American workers, the wages of our teachers have not kept pace with the cost of living over the last 20 years. We also need to remember with communication via email, teachers’ time is demanded long after the school day has ended.

What may make sense to review is whether or not half-days on Wednesdays have any educational benefit or economical benefit. We have parent-teacher conference time established in the school calendar, and I have found teachers to be more than accommodating if a meeting is needed to discuss any special needs or questions concerning their son or daughter.

Teachers earn their money; our expectations ought to be based on the quality of their academic preparation, their teaching methodology, and the outcomes that provide our community with a well-educated young woman or man at the end of the education cycle.

Q: What else should the voters know about you?

A: I also serve on the board for the Windham Youth Soccer Association. I have been an involved parent and volunteer at the school and in the community. I’ve been involved with my children’s sports, academics, and community service such as Scouts, PTA, and a member of the North Windham Union Church of Christ. My community commitment, my work experience, and my understanding of policies and procedures have given me the experience needed to lead the school district. I hope for your vote and support, as together, we move forward to strengthen and improve our school district.