Previous Offices Held
None
Top Three Priorities
1. Ensure that RSU 2 schools continue to be places where all our students can get an excellent education that nurtures their talents and meets their needs. 2. Secure the resources we need to deliver on our mission, seeking cost efficiencies where we can and ensuring the community sees the value of our investment in our schools. 3. Shape district policy on technology and AI in classrooms, sustainability and climate adaptation in our buildings and operations, and other emerging issues.
Why are you running?
I’m passionate about serving our community and am excited to throw myself into the hard work of keeping our public schools strong. I believe strongly that our kids come first, and that all of our students deserve an excellent education and overall experience in our schools. I believe I have the skills and experience to be an effective, constructive voice on the RSU 2 School Board and a reliable representative for Hallowell.
What is the biggest challenge facing your area’s schools? The biggest opportunity?
One of our biggest challenges is dropping student enrollment. Fewer students means less support from the state, which makes it harder to provide an excellent school experience. As a Board member I’ll explore how we can attract new students to the district while also seeking cost efficiencies where we can. On the plus side, our district has a wonderful, dedicated staff and a community that is incredibly supportive of our schools.
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?
A key issue for me is ensuring that our buildings and operations are energy efficient and equipped for how our climate is changing. As a Board member, I’d like to explore how we can improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and make better use of renewable energy sources across our operations. We could save taxpayer dollars while improving the school experience for students and demonstrating good stewardship of our natural environment.
Do you think the state government is too involved in local schooling? Not involved enough? The right amount of involved? Explain your answer.
Local control of schools is a well-established principle in our state. State government is an essential partner in funding our schools, setting academic standards, certifying teachers, and more. As a Board member, I’d work with the Board and Superintendent, state officials and our representatives in Augusta to push for equitable funding for our district; support for needed infrastructure upgrades; and smart education policy reforms that enable all our students to reach their fullest potential.