School candidates to compete for seats as reported by the Kennebunk Post

School candidates to compete for seats

http://blog.kennebunkpost.com/2011/05/26/school-candidates-to-compete-for-seats.aspx

Leia Lowery and Diane Robbins of Arundel are running for a three-year term on the Regional School Unit 21 Board of Directors.

Name:  Leia Lowery

Age: 38

Address: 35 Jeffs Way, Arundel

Occupation: Coordinator for the Trust in our Children Program for Kennebunkport Conservation Trust

Marital status:  Married for almost 15 years

Children:  Three; a 12-year-old girl, a nearly 10-year-old girl and nearly 6-year-old boy

Education: Undergraduate and masters degree in vocational and technical education from Virginia Tech in liberal arts and sciences.

Organizations-activities: Lay speaker and chairman of the SPRC at West Kennebunk United Methodist Church; substitute at Kennebunk Free Library; former Kennebunk Parks and Recreation program leader; member of curriculum committee at Regional School Unit 21. 

Previous political experience: I don’t see myself as a real political entity. I was asked to run for school board based on my active involvement with the regional planning committee.

Why are you running for office? 

I am running for office because I am passionate about education. I truly believe one of the most important jobs we have as a community is to ensure the future generation is up to the task of leading our country and taking on the difficult situations they surely will face.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. First and foremost is creating a sustainable education for these communities. We are facing more and more cuts from the state and we have to come up with creative ways to offset the rising cost of education. I don’t believe that we can have everything we want but I think that as a board we can come up with innovative ways to get what we need without putting the total burden on all the taxpayers which includes me.

2. Dealing with the physical schools and their issues. I don’t believe that we have to have state of the art schools in order to have great learning communities, but the reality is that if the physical plant is inhibiting education in some way it needs to be addressed. I believe that is the case with the high school. It is a delicate balance between what we can afford and what we deem necessary versus what we would love to see. 

3. Creating community. We no longer live in a society where all of us have grown up here for generations and there seems to be a disconnect. I think getting the community involved and having them see what our students are doing and creating that connection between the schools and our community members will help everyone. After all, every taxpayer should have a vested interest in our schools.

Name: Diane C. Robbins

Age:  55

Address: 12 Days Mills Road, Arundel

Occupation: Senior excess loss specialist

Marital status: Single

Children: None

Education: Graduated high school and trained to be a surgical technician in the operating room at Maine Medical Center.

Organizations-activities: I teach Junior Achievement classes; have participated in the United Way Day of Caring for at least seven years.

Previous political experience: Town of Arundel Comprehensive Plan Committee; strategic plan committee; cost sharing committee; Central York County Communications Advisory Committee; Arundel Budget Board and charter committee.

Why are you running for office? 

I am running for office because I had members of my community request that I do so because they felt that not everyone was represented with the current board. They felt that I would be of benefit to the town as a member of this board.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. Stabilize the tax increases to the towns.While I understand that the state is not funding the schools to the level we would like to see, we are also dealing with a student population that is dropping. But the costs do not appear to be dropping with that decrease. This current budget was done, voted on and finalized with the board admitting it did not see line items. While the board cannot deal with every line it would have been useful to see of the budgets what had and had not been spent and how that compared to other years. 

2. Find a way to improve relations between the three towns. This is a big job but if the RSU is to continue the current board needs to take all members of the community seriously and today that does not happen. They have called people concerned with the budget names, they made faces and laughed at the hearing for the budget and this type of disrespect needs to be stopped. It is unprofessional and disrespectful to all of the communities involved. We need to treat each other with respect at all times.

3. Communications between the board and the public needs to improve. Many of the communications go out to families with children in school and while I know there is another method to get the communications, I don’t believe this has been made public enough. I also think we need a better method developed and put in place to allow members of the general public to get issues addressed by the board.

Ed Karytko and Brad Huot of Kennebunk are running for a one-year term on the Regional School Unit 21 Board of Directors.

Name: Ed Karytko

Age: 67

Address: West Kennebunk

Occupation: I am retired and spent most of my life in the printing industry.

Marital status: I am married 41 years to my wife, Susan, a former educator.

Children: I have four children, all of whom graduated from Kennebunk High School and college. I also have 5 grandchildren.

Education: I have an associate of arts degree; U.S. Army technical and teaching training; attended an engineering college and countless technical seminars and courses associated with the lithographic industry.

Organizations-activities: I am a member of St. Martha’s Knights of Columbus; Vietnam Veterans of America; and Greater Portland Men’s Senior Softball League.

Previous political experience: I have been a school board member and athletic booster at a private high school; served on the Kennebunk High School Athletic Booster Board; hosted three foreign exchange students from Japan and Mexico; helped operate an in-home day care; and was home provider for an individual with a mental disability.

Why are you running for the school board?

I am deeply concerned about our country’s global standing regarding the education of our youth. Considering my past experiences, I believe I can have a positive effect in helping all the children in RSU 21 have a quality, world class education.

What are three top issues and how would you address them?

1. RSU 21 cannot succeed without each of the towns in the district working together. I can help foster an open dialogue with each community toward resolving the problems that face our school district.

2. The economic downturn surprised everyone. I would advocate for programs that are focused on achieving our district goals while keeping and eye on cost effectiveness through a more detailed budget process.

3. Building maintenance and repair is an important issue. I would promote sensible, responsible programs to protect our district’s investments in existing and future facilities.

Name: Brad Huot

Age: 35

Address: 9 Rivers Edge Drive, Kenne-bunk

Occupation: Physician

Marital status: Married

Children: Maggie (7), Izzy (5), Max (1)

Education: Massabesic High School (1993); B.S. in Biological Chemistry, Bates College (1997); M.D. University of Vermont College of Medicine (2001); residency in internal medicine, University of Virginia Health Systems (2004).

Organizations-activities: Maine Medical Association; American Medical Association; Southern Maine Medical Center Medical Executive Committee; parent volunteer, Mrs. Curran’s first-grade class, Kennebunk Elementary School; Partner in Prevention; Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County.

Previous political experience: None

Why are you running for office? 

Continuing to promote foreign language instruction in the elementary years, expansion of the International Baccalaureate program and improvement in test scores at the middle and high schools are my highest priorities. I also think I can help with the true consolidation process by helping to economize the district. I believe we can limit the tax burden to citizens and maintain instruction programs at the same or higher levels if we cut down on what we pay for the maintenance of schools that are half full.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. School consolidation and economization: I think we need to seriously consider consolidating our district into fewer schools, resulting in smaller fuel and electricity bills and fewer maintenance costs. With fuel costs continually rising, paying to maintain half-filled and outdated, inefficient schools is a waste of taxpayer money that could be used for instruction and for lowering taxpayer burden.

2. Public awareness of the school board process: I believe there is a disconnect between what the school board does and the public perception of the process of putting together a budget. I think it would be helpful to all to make this process more transparent and hopefully get more of the public involved in the entire process.

3. Expansion of the International Baccalaureate program: I believe that expansion of this program into the elementary grades would encourage students to reach for the stars. Encouraging young students to succeed from an early age gets students to love learning and nurtures their inherent curiosity.

Robert Higgins, Kevin Knight and Art Leblanc of Kennebunk are running for two three-year terms on the Regional School Unit 21 Board of Directors.

Name: Robert J. Higgins

Age: 64

Address: 22 Woodside Drive, Kennebunk

Occupation: Retired

Marital status: Single

Children: Daughter, University of New Hampshire graduate

Education: Kennebunk High School, class of 1965

Organizations-activities: U.S. Army Veteran; member of Disabled American Veterans; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; St. David’s Church.

Previous political experience: Six years as a member of the Kennebunk Board of Selectmen and prior to that was an active citizen-taxpayer participant in various Kennebunk town boards and meetings.

Why are you running for office?

I am running for the RSU Board of (Directors)as a common sense, independent director who will represent the entire taxpaying community. It will be my objective to pursue excellence in education and, at the same time, working to develop a cost effective, sustainable budget. Excellence in education and a cost effective budget are not mutually exclusive.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. School budget: To look for ways to reduce spending and continue to maintain and approve the quality of education of our student population. As an example, this would involve working to see if we can adopt a merit pay process for teachers similar to what has been done in Portland and other communities throughout the country. This is being advocated by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Salaries and benefits account for 75 percent of the budget.

2. Transparency: This would involve working to ensure that all RSU board deliberations are conducted in an open and transparent manner. As an example, I would propose that all budget items are discussed and approved on a line item basis.

3. Communication: Work with York County legislators to make sure that they know that every dollar we don’t receive in state aid has a direct and adverse impact on the three RSU communities.

Name: Kevin Knight

Age: 39

Address: 21 Canterbury Circle, Kennebunk

E-mail: kknight@rsu21.net

Occupation: Marketing research

Marital status: Married

Children: one son

Education: BA in mathematics and economics, Lafayette College; MA in economics, University of New Hampshire.

Previous political experience: RSU 21 Board of Directors

Why are you running for office?

I am running for re-election because I believe that I offer a reasoned, balanced perspective to a board that will continue to face some difficult decisions in the coming years.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. One major challenge currently facing our district is the need to address some of the issues with our facilities while minimizing the impact on our academic programs and services. I do believe we need to make some changes with the high school facility, as the current structure is not adequate, but it will be important to be sensible with our choices, to ensure that we put a plan before the taxpayers that is reasonable.

2. Currently, our district faces a great deal of divisiveness, particularly around some of the emotional issues surrounding consolidation. I believe as a board member, it is important to be respectful of the emotions and opinions on both sides of issues. It is then important to focus on making decisions that are driven by facts and what we believe will be best for the district in the long run. 

3. Another constant challenge for our schools is how we improve the quality of the education that we are providing. From a board perspective it is important that we hire strong leaders and hold those leaders accountable for the performance in the schools. We must also support these leaders as they work to hold the staff accountable.

Name: Art LeBlanc

Age: 50

Address: 10 Alewive Farms Road, Kennebunk

Occupation:Director of controls, EchoFirst Inc., responsible for software and control hardware of Internet, iPhone and Home Area Network-connected solar systems.

Marital status: Married 28 years to Holly, a graduate of Kennebunk High School.

Children: Alexander, Cameron, Margaux and Maxim.

Education: Master of Engineering, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 1984; Bachelor of engineering, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College 1984; Bachelor of Arts, Dartmouth College, 1982.

Organizations-activities: Coach youth lacrosse, skiing; photography; member of the board of private manufacturing company; former board member York County YMCA.

Previous political experience: Maine Ambassador for Business under Angus King; school board member MSAD 71, RSU 21            

Why are you running for office?

The publishing of the Maine Learning Results served as my original motivation to run for a school board seat as I was amazed that the Legislature could condense K-12 education into a PowerPoint presentation. I am running again to continue improving our schools, particularly in science and technology, address drug and alcohol use, budget with declining state support and finish the facility renovation programs.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

 1. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).STEM is a recognized priority nationally and is gaining momentum at Kennebunk High School as this year’s graduating class formed a core group who enrolled in honors biology as freshmen, opening the door to taking more advanced sciences during their four years at KHS.  Not only did those students excel, but they showed that the STEM goals are achievable. 

Kennebunk High School students should be able to reach a level that is nationally competitive as they prepare for further study in colleges and universities. 

2. Provide opportunity for all students. More students should be encouraged to pursue more challenging courses that will help them achieve their goals in whatever occupation they choose to pursue. 

If a student wants to study home construction or a particular trade, a solid knowledge of math and science will go a long way to understanding how to program the latest CNC machine, install renewable energy systems, or know the chemical benefits of  blown foam insulation. 

3. Financial Management It is critical that school boards hire and set the agenda for top quality management to make the most of their budgeted dollars.  The hiring of Andrew Dolloff as the Regional School Unit 21 superintendent has brought real leadership that has just begun to address core issues within our district. 

The largest part of our school budget is expended on salaries and benefits.  The accountability and performance appraisal process must monitor teacher performance in the classroom. 

If we are not getting the best performance of our teachers in the classroom we are not maximizing our hard earned funding from the taxpayers of this community.

Maureen King and Alicia Kellett of Kennebunkport are running for a three-year term on the Regional School Unit 21 Board of Directors.

Name: Maureen King

Age: 54

Address: 135 Guinea Road, Kennebunkport

Occupation: Mom, 21 years experience; retail management and restaurant management, 17 years experience

Marital status: Married to a wonderful man who has been very supportive of my school board service.

Children: Two – a senior at Kennebunk High and junior at Olin College of Engineering.

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Mary Washington College; completed the Institute for Civic Leadership’s year-long course in collaborative leadership; Leadership Intensive, in 2008-2009.

Organizations/activities: President of Maine School Boards Association; member of MSBA Board of Directors since 2006; librarian for Congregation Etz Chaim, also has served on the board of directors of Etz Chaim since 2003; weekly volunteer in KES kindergarten classroom; communication committee for Cape Arundel Golf Club; board of advisors for PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) International Foundation; Personal activities include golf, gardening, knitting, reading and P90X.

Previous political experience: 10 years on MSAD 71 Board of Directors, chairman for five years; two years on RSU 21 Board of Directors, chairman for one year; served 10 years on Kennebunkport’s Growth Planning Committee, six years as chairman; have spent this year testifying before Maine legislative committees on behalf of the Maine School Boards Association.

Why are you running for office?

I’ve always considered the education of children to be our most important job as a society. With my 12 years experience on the board and the exposure I’ve had to state and national discussions of education, I feel that I have a lot to offer the district. I think it’s critical to the health and futures of our communities to have excellent, strong and strongly supported public schools led by locally elected school board members who are passionate about educating our children to the best of our communities’ abilities.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. High school renovation: Engage the community in tours and discussions about the needs for upgrading the high school facilities and improving the curriculum offered. We have more work to do in the science/math/engineering/technology area to make sure our students can be competitive when they leave KHS. As we have upgraded our other facilities, it is time to make sure the high school students have the lab spaces and technology they need to be competitive in colleges and in the work place.

2. Other facilities issues. (A) Upgrades at Consolidated School and Mildred L. Day School: These buildings have excellent programming but need to have life/safety/code issues addressed. (B) When the current KES building can hold all K-5 Kennebunk resident students, we should move all those students to the KES building.

3. The communities and board have crafted an excellent strategic plan for continued improvement of the district’s schools. The strategic plan provides clear guidelines for teaching and learning, accountability, high performing staff, financial and facilities planning and monitoring and reporting district progress. Following our strategic plan will be key to our future successes.

Name: Alicia Kellett

Age: 39

Address: 64 Mills Road, Kennebunkport

Occupation: Branch manager, RepubliCash Financial Center

Marital status: Single

Children: Elizabeth, 9, and Patrick, 7

Education: Lawrence Academy; Wheaton College (two years); licensed foster parent

Why are you running for office?

I have always been a strong advocate for children. I have been a foster parent for over 12 years and have been blessed with two children (who) attend Consolidated. Even though I decided to be a single parent and raise children I knew I could do it because of the love and support from my family as well as it truly takes a village to raise a child. I believe I can add a fresh and fair representation of the concerns and needs of all students no matter their background or abilities. I am eager to spend the time and energy to listen, learn and communicate for the greater good of our whole community in order to procure the best public education for all of our children.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. I will be a resource and an advocate for students, parents and teachers. I am committed to providing the best education for all our students no matter their background or ability. 

2. I will listen, learn, convey and work collaboratively with the other members of the school board to communicate the needs and concerns of the entire community and advocate that they are carried over into the decisions of the administration. As well as communicate the needs and the concerns of the board and/or the administration to the community.    

3. I will support the improvement of a clearer budget so that voters can better understand it and its impact on the fiscal health of our community and town. We all support education but no matter how difficult the issues, full disclosure to the voters will result in positive solutions and support.