Address: 31 Hutchinson Drive, Boothbay Harbor

Occupation: Physical therapist, currently employed at Mid-Coast Parkview Health

Education: Bachelor of science in health sciences, master of science in physical therapy, and doctorate of physical therapy from Husson University, Bangor

Political history (boards, committees): none

Clubs/organizations: Volunteer for Boothbay Region Baseball/Cal Ripken League; volunteer for Cub Scout Troop 271

Considering the position you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues?

This year in education has been unprecedented due to COVID-19 and the need for emergency remote learning. I have personally experienced the incredible amount of work as my sixth grader made the transition. Keeping our students learning and in an environment that is safe will be the most important thing we do as a school district next year. There will be a need to support the teachers and staff as students reacclimate or find new ways to access their future education. This will require a lot of flexibility, creativity and administrative support.

There is a long term need to improve enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and meet the needs of every student. Those sound like different topics, but really encompass a larger issue of making sure the public knows and trusts that AOS 98 will meet the needs of any of their children. This could mean a football team that plays in a league and is manned every year; a high school band and chorus with more than six students; a robust VOC program that allows students who want to pursue technical careers every opportunity to excel in those; and providing college hopefuls with any AP/honors credits they need to be competitive in scholarships and admissions. We want our community to choose AOS 98 because it meets their needs and not feel like they need to move away from our community or go elsewhere to have these needs met. 

The last would be to hire the teachers and staff needed to meet these needs. We have had some longtime teachers retire in the last few years and there will be ongoing challenges in making sure we are staffed appropriately and within budget. Riding the line between the needs for our budget to remain static for the taxpayers, but recruiting long term talent that serves our children is the responsibility of every good school board.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office?

I’m a tenacious problem solver. Working in healthcare, I have a lot of experience listening to people’s hardships and working on a plan that solves problems. I know that takes listening, compassion, suspension of judgement, research and sometimes making hard decisions. I am running for school committee to be an advocate and a problem solver for our students and families. I may not always be polished, but I promise to always be honest and thoughtful.