Previous Offices Held
I have run for the school board every 3 years since 2008-2009
Top Three Priorities
1. Allowing students to get academic credits for courses taken outside of the High School and bringing in more vocational programs. 2. Making sure our staff understands how they play a pivotal part in each students education and giving them all the support they need to do their jobs. 3. The budget. Every year we go through the budget with the intent of trying to still function on a reasonable level but every year the budget goes u. We need to try to rein in expenses.
Why are you running?
I’m running because I care deeply about students and ensuring that every student who attends our schools is given an equal opportunity to succeed. I have a close association with staff and I like to think they value the time I spend In the schools educating myself on how our education system works and the effects on student, staff and families.
What is the biggest challenge facing your area’s schools? The biggest opportunity?
I think the biggest opportunity we have presently is a brand new Middle School with a lot more playing fields, and the additional fields put in at the Manchester School. This is something the town has been asking for what seems like forever. I think the biggest challenge we have now is the budget!
A top issue for many parents is the age of Maine’s school infrastructure. How would you address this issue locally from your position on the school board?
I think I can say that while I’ve been on the board, we have a wonderful Facility Director that has kept our buildings in excellent condition and we are presently building a new Middle School which will house grades 5-8. As I said earlier, I am chair of the Facility Committee and I work closely with the Superintendent, Facilities Director and the Finance Committee. Facilities cost money and we try to not overburden the taxpayers more than needed. Our buildings are in great shape!
Do you think the state government is too involved in local schooling? Not involved enough? The right amount of involved? Explain your answer.
The state government should back off a bit and stop changing how we collect data every few years. It hard to get a good base to evaluate your progress when the data points and the systems keep changing.