The battle for a three-year term on the school committee is the only contested race on the Boothbay municipal ballot. Former state legislator Bruce MacDonald is challenging first-term school committee incumbent Bill Bailey.

The two previously ran against each other for a legislative seat in 2006, with MacDonald winning the election.

Both candidates are retired. Bailey, 66, is a Pennsylvania native and Michigan State University graduate. He moved to Boothbay in 1999. He worked 25 years at General Electric. Among the positions he held were design engineer, business executive, and president of GE’s Aircraft Engine Services Worldwide.

Bailey became involved with the school system through his volunteer work on the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund. As a school committee member, he was the board’s Teacher Assessment Committee and Advisory Committee representatives.

Bailey wants to continue the community school district’s tradition of quality education. Bailey’s daughter Christin recently graduated from Thomas College in Waterville. He credits Boothbay Region High School for preparing her for college. He believes providing a good quality education is important in attracting young families to the region.

“Providing quality and cost-effective education for our children is one of the most important challenges the community faces. There are some positive things happening in our schools right now, and I want to help grow that.”

MacDonald, 77, is a retired Massachusetts educator. He taught high school for eight years and served as an elementary school principal for six. MacDonald was also director of The Teacher Center at the Children’s Museum in Boston and assistant director of the Education Collaboration of Greater Boston. 

MacDonald was elected three times to the Reading, Massachusetts School Committee.

MacDonald is a Bowdoin College graduate. He moved to Boothbay in 2000. He served as the local state representative from 2006 to 2014. In the Legislature, he served as the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee chairman.

He believes his professional and legislative experience will be a valuable asset on the school committee.

“We all have a responsibility to do things. I have experience which I can use helping out with the upcoming problems facing us,” he said.

Both candidates have been active in the community. Bailey serves on the Boothbay Region YMCA Board of Directors. He was the Y board’s past president and currently serves as treasurer.

Bailey is also a past president and member for both the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club and Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund. He is also a past board member for Rebuilding Together Lincoln County and Thiel College (Pennsylvania) Board of Trustees.

MacDonald is a Lions Club member and was a Boothbay Civic Association volunteer.

All other municipal races are uncontested. CSD Trustee Kevin Anthony, 53, is running for re-election, but isn’t on the ballot. He failed to return his nomination papers by the March 18 deadline.

“I had all the signatures. I just missed the deadline,” he said.

Anthony, a contractor, has served six years as a trustee.

“As someone in the building trade I know what needs to be done for maintaining our buildings and facilities,” he said. “It’s really important to do a good job for the kids. I want to do what I can to improve the ball fields and facilities.”

The following incumbents are running unopposed for re-election: Chuck Cunningham, selectman; Jonathan Lewis, Boothbay Region Water District trustee; and Stanley W. Lewis, Cemetery District trustee. All offices are three-year terms.

The Boothbay municipal election is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 2 in the town office.