About the Candidate

Did not respond

Education

Master of science in medical/surgical nursing from St. Louis University, 1994; Bachelor of science in nursing from University of Missouri, 1988.

Previous campaigns and elected office(s) held

I served three, three-year terms on the MSAD 54 board of directors from 2008-2017. I ran again in 2023 and won.

Top three priorities

1) Allow all students to reach their goals and potential success for their future, starting from their K-12 public education.

2) Continue to create safe and productive learning environments that utilize symbiotic relationships with teachers, administrators and parents.

3) Support the experts — teachers, administration and guidance counselors — so that they can use their education and experience to provide the best techniques to optimize the students’ learning.

Why are you running?

I am running because public education is of utmost importance to our communities, and I feel I have the knowledge and experience as a nurse, parent and grandparent to understand the complexity of overseeing a school. My husband and I raised three children who all graduated from Skowhegan schools. I worked as a substitute school nurse, volunteered in classrooms and served as booster officer for boys basketball and baseball. On the school board, I served on three committees.

What is the biggest challenge facing your area’s schools? The biggest opportunity?

One of the biggest challenges is getting students who are not school-ready by 5 years old. Starting school when they don’t have basic behavior skills makes it difficult for all the students and teachers in the classroom. Our biggest opportunity is to change this by funding daycares and pre-K so that all students can be ready and succeed in school.

If you could change one thing about how your local schools function, what would it be and why?

I would change how the schools are funded. Rural schools in Maine are at a disadvantage compared to some of the southern schools. Fewer businesses means residents have to pay higher property taxes to support the schools. Local residents have always been very generous to the schools, but it is a fact that rural schools often have fewer opportunities and programs than those in more lucrative areas of the state because the budget doesn’t allow for some programs.

Do you think the state government is too involved in local schooling? Not involved enough? The right amount of involved? Explain your answer.

I think the state is appropriately involved. However, the Legislature should be mindful of passing legislation that is not funded.