Previous Offices Held
First time running for office
Top Three Priorities
My top priorities include 1. honoring educators as professionals, 2. understanding the concerns of citizens in our small town, 3. making sure our youth have the most robust educational experience possible while being mindful of budget and grant constraints and the time we ask educators to work beyond their contracts.
Why are you running?
Broadly, there is a need for people to engage in our communities. Specifically, there is a need for someone to take over a one-year school board position in my town. Over the past 13 years, I have become familiar with the Marshwood district — our daughter is a 2025 graduate — and as an empty nester, I have free time. My travel for work has also significantly shifted in the last year, and I have the skill set to do the job.
What is the biggest challenge facing your area’s schools? The biggest opportunity?
A challenge is our rising health insurance costs. Educators deserve a quality benefits package, but current rates handcuff our districts. Our budget is mostly contractual agreements, so there is very little to cut unless we increase class size. I think an opportunity is outdoor education. Bringing youth outside to do schoolwork and to learn about our environment is good for mental and physical health. There are so many resources now in place to facilitate this type of learning and community connections.
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?
Maine’s educational infrastructure needs repairs. It is best to be proactive and make consistent upgrades. If we fail to give attention to our building and grounds to save money now, large storm systems may cause more significant damage to aging roofs. I have concerns about our underground infrastructure as well.
Do you think the state government is too involved in local schooling? Not involved enough? The right amount of involved? Explain your answer.
My answer to that depends on how much money is actually flowing from the state government to schools and what restrictions are or are not in place. I appreciated when our Legislature made school lunch free and increased access to community colleges. I think state testing can be cumbersome and expensive to implement, but when data is shared, it can be a tool for reflection and adjustment.