A Gorham school committee member used his final meeting to level both criticism and praise on the school system.

Jason Libby, 32, who is not seeking re-election, took aim Oct. 10 at state test scores at Village Elementary School, an underage drinking incident last spring and the recent athletic department budgets. Libby’s prepared remarks came early in the meeting.

He said he recently reviewed MEA scores in reading and math, and concluded children aren’t getting needed support at the Village School.

“Maybe we’re not taking MEAs as seriously as we should,” said Libby, who has favored hiring more education technicians and teachers.

Libby said Gorham has spent $1.6 million on athletics costs in its budgets over the past three years.

“It’s not pocket change,” Libby said. “Do we sacrifice education for state championships? he asked.

He also alluded to the incident last spring that he called the “ice hockey scandal,” in which hockey players allegedly attended an underage drinking party. Libby, who was chairman of the subcommittee on policy, told of sitting through executive sessions on the matter and spoke of frustration that he was unable to act. But, he advocated changes, which were passed later, tightening disciplinary action in the district’s substance abuse policy.

On the bright side, Libby said, the quality of adult education in Gorham is the talk of the area. He also praised several administrators in the school department. In July, Bob Riley replaced Dennis Duquette as the middle school principal, and Libby said people have remained happy at that school.

Libby said Gorham has a great high school. “John, you’ve done a great job,” Libby said to principal John Drisko, who was sitting in the audience. “Your staff is amazing.”

Libby offered kind words to fellow committee members and added, “I have faith in Ted Sharp,” the superintendent.

A survivor of two bouts with cancer, Libby is writing a book about it and is finishing graduate school. Libby also plans to spend more time with his family, but plans to run next year.

“Some people said I’ve been out in left field,” Libby told fellow board members. “But I wanted to make a difference in this district.”

Cutline ( jason libby) – Jason Libby, who isn’t seeking reelection to the Gorham School Committee, talks with school committee member Marie South before last week’s meeting.