KENNEBUNKPORT – Two candidates are running for one open seat representing Kennebunkport on the RSU 21 School Board in the June 8 election. Absentee voting is available.
Megan Michaud and James McMann are competing for the spot currently held by Sarah Dore, who is not seeking re-election.
• McMann, an IT engineer, is a U.S. Army veteran, where he was a military police officer stationed in the U.S., Central America and Europe. Married, he is the parent of two sons in the RSU 21 school system. He serves on the Kennebunkport Growth Planning Committee and has coached youth baseball, football and wrestling.
James McMann Courtesy photo
McMann said his primary goal is to advocate for a balanced and objective core curriculum.
“I look forward to working with parents, teachers and the RSU 21 administration to put the focus on academics,” said McMann. “I am running to help bring back a balance in the agenda and to open up better communication between the administration (and) parents and teachers,”
McMann said the school system was of the biggest selling points when he and his family moved to Kennebunkport from Portland a dozen years ago.
“I believe in the fundamentals of fiscal conservative budgeting which means your tax dollars should be going to fund our school system to provide the best education,” said McMann. “This includes continuing to enhance the infrastructure to provide the safest buildings, desirable sporting venues and best educational opportunities for traditional and vocational students.”
“As parents we all hold different goals, values and principles that we want to impose on our children and we expect that the school administration and faculty should respect, involve and listen to us,” McMann said. “The school system should be a place where the administration, teachers and parents have a mutual understanding about goals of teaching a core curriculum where respect and listening to parents and teachers is a priority as we guide our children through the adolescent journey, so kids make the best decisions and goals about their future.”
• Michaud was raised and educated in the district, is a graduate of Colby College, and has worked in public service for nonprofits. She has three children, one of whom attends Consolidated School. Michaud has volunteered for three RSU 21 committees including elementary enrollment in 2019, superintendent hiring in 2020 and diversity, equity and inclusion this year. She is a member of the PTA at Consolidated School.
Megan Michaud Courtesy photo
She said her top short-term priority is a plan for a safe return to a five-day, in-person school year starting in the fall, while monitoring developing data, science, and recommendations from public health officials.
“Our students have experienced a tumultuous year, many have likely fallen behind academically, are struggling socially or with mental health challenges, and they are ready to return to some semblance of normalcy,” said Michaud.
Long term, she said the communities need to come together to collaboratively rebuild support for the public schools.
“We have all the resources to run the best schools in the state,” said Michaud. “Their strength is a key element in whether our young people want to stay and raise families here and whether other families want to move here. Good schools and all they bring – sports, music, theater, smart and talented young people working in local businesses – help make a vibrant and thriving community. Good schools attract great teachers and great teachers change lives.”
She said the district needs a strategic plan, with input from stakeholders, and an open minded, thoughtful school board providing leadership and decision-making.
“We need to evaluate the tools, technologies, and systems our schools are using and see what is worth carrying forward and what should be left behind,” said Michaud, along with insight from teachers into student needs, and more. “More than any other year, mental health and overall wellbeing of students must be a priority.”
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
