PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Lucy Richard of Presque Isle, SAD 1 school board chairman, has recently been elected vice president of the Maine School Boards Associa17339310tion during a 2019 delegate assembly in Augusta.
Richard has served on the SAD 1 school board for 24 years and has remained committed to ensuring the best opportunities are provided for students to learn and prosper. She has been involved with strategic planning toward the mission and philosophy of the district.
Richard began her school board tenure to represent her constituents while two of her four youngest children were finishing their secondary education.
“All students in Maine deserve an environment that is conducive to learning,” she said. “All students in Maine deserve equal opportunity no matter what region of Maine they reside. Our young adults should be college or job ready and learn of their importance within, and sense of, community.”
She added, “Since the beginning, I’ve wanted to be engaged in policy and critical decision-making knowing that some outcomes would be extremely difficult.”
Richard stated she believes Presque Isle area residents are passionate about their beliefs, which is a true asset to the community. “Passion leads to vision, progression, and thoughtful decision-making at the board level,” she remarked.
The state association’s primary role is to connect school boards across the state and remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving changes in education.
Professionally, Richard is a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner at Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital, formerly The Aroostook Medical Center. She has been an active member of the Presque Isle community, serving on various advisory boards to support the health and wellness of the citizens of Presque Isle and surrounding communities.
She was co-chair of Presque Isle’s Sargent Family Community Center Capital Campaign. She has been a respected medical professional within her field of expertise and frequently gives public seminars on women’s health issues. She is a charter member of the Aroostook Valley Sail and Power Squadron, which promotes safe boating through education.
As a member of the community faculty at the University of New England’s physician assistant program, Richard was recognized as 2015 Preceptor of the Year.
She has been married to Steve Richard for 47 years and they are parents to four adult children residing in Texas, southern Maine, and Pennsylvania.
