Dear Editor:

I’m writing to share a bit about my husband, Mike Bartles, and why I think he’ll be a terrific addition to the Boothbay Harbor CSD School Committee.

Mike has always wanted to get more involved with our town. When we had our first son, Teddy, and enrolled him at the Y’s Harbor Montessori School, we realized just how important daycare – and the school – is to our sense of community here. That rang even more true when Teddy started kindergarten at BRES. That was almost two years ago, and in that time, Mike has said countless times that he hoped to join the school board someday. As they say, there’s no time like the present – and now is exactly the right time for him to run.

When I met Mike, he was working with the education department at Mystic Seaport Museum, teaching kids about sailmaking and maritime skills. He truly is an educator at heart – just get him talking about his everyday use of algebra and physics in his work as a sailmaker! Mike has a specific interest in place-based learning and the benefits it can bring to kids, especially in a small town like ours. He deeply believes that our community’s kids are the key to the future success and health of our peninsula.

Mike will devote himself to learning about all the issues the CSD is currently facing – in fact, he already has been doing the work to get fully up to speed here. He will take the time to hear from you – our community – to learn what is important to you. He has a knack for numbers, so understanding budgets and finance comes naturally to him.

I urge you to write-in Mike Bartles for the Boothbay Harbor CSD School Committee on May 1.

Harley Bartles

Boothbay Harbor