Address: 488 Cross Point Road

Occupation: teacher, doctoral student, policy advocate

Education: Bachelor of science in biology, Master of Arts in teaching, PhD candidate in Public Policy and Educational Leadership

Political History (Board, Committees): Edgecomb and AOS 98 School Boards for nine years, former local Democratic Party leader, National Education Association Representative Assembly Delegate

Clubs/Organizations: Maine Education Association, American Modeling Teachers Association, National Science Teachers Association, Long Reach Swim Club Parent, Morse Sports Boosters

Considering the position you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues? (350 words or less): Public education is deeply complex, fully intertwined with other social and economic issues, and poorly understood. The most urgent issue facing school boards and communities like ours is the need for deep, thoughtful and respectful conversations. Students and families can feel frustrated and defeated, tax payers can feel helpless and unheard, and school boards can feel overwhelmed and trapped. But most of these individuals value our towns, our schools, and our students. We are simply not having the right conversations at the right times. I believe it can be done, as we heard in the tough but honest conversations at Saturday’s town meeting in Edgecomb. School boards must do a better job of communicating accurate and thorough background information, creating opportunities to hear from residents, and actively working for positive, proactive, and mindful change on local and state levels.

Funding for public education in Maine is based on the fundamentally flawed assumptions that income is directly connected to property values, and that all residents of communities with high value real estate can pay high taxes. If this constitutionally required system is to survive, the cost sharing mechanisms, EPS funding formula, the proportions of state subsidy distribution and the tuition costs must be fundamentally altered at the state level. This is the second most pressing issue facing all schools, particularly those in small waterfront communities like ours here in Midcoast Maine, and I am proud of the work done by Edgecomb’s town leaders to develop and support testimony to the State Legislature on this very topic earlier this spring.

Finally, long term planning for both facilities and academic organizations must occur both within and between communities. Decades of deferred maintenance has damaged our physical infrastructure, creating a desperate need for costly solutions, whether it be a new building or a new driveway. Population changes, educational mandates, and changing social, economic and political landscapes make thoughtful, thorough, big picture discussions of regionalization, governance, and academic priorities essential. Municipal leaders and community members need the time, space and funding to clearly develop these long term plans.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office? 150 words or less: I am proud of my 9 years of service on the Edgecomb and AOS 98 boards. During that time, our board developed a preK program and welcomed more 50 additional tuition-in students, raising revenues of almost $2 million. This offset taxes by almost $1.5 million, and held the annual tax assessment increase to a 4% annual average. Our test scores are consistently above state averages, Edgecomb adopted a new literacy curriculum, and recently won the 2027 Maine School Garden of the Year. I started youtube.com/@HeatherM.Sinclair, presented the 1st Annual State of the Schools address last October, and testified to the State Legislature about school funding needs for struggling tax-payers. I am a single mom, and I understand how challenging rising taxes can be to household finances. I also understand the role public education can play in shaping future citizens. I believe Edgecomb does too.