Retiring SAD 1 board member honored by district
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A longtime, retiring SAD 1 board member was honored at the December meeting for her 25 years’ of service to the board of directors.
Dana Allison of Castle Hill, who first served from 1983-2005 and again for the last three years, was presented a clock in appreciation for her hard work and dedication to education.
“Here I am … my time is mine … and I need a clock?” joked Allison.
Reflecting fondly on the district, Allison said her five children all attended SAD 1 schools and went on to become successful in life.
Photo courtesy of SAD 1
DANA ALLISON of Castle Hill was recently honored by SAD 1 for her 25 years’ of service to the board of directors. Allison, who opted not to run again for the board, was presented a clock Dec. 14, her last meeting as a director. Congratulating Allison are, from left: Lucy Richard, board chair; Allison, and Superintendent Gehrig Johnson.
“My oldest son is a professor of English in China, his twin brother is a lawyer in Washington, D.C., my oldest daughter was a graphics artist and then went into social work, my youngest son divides his time; he’s a building contractor, a commercial pilot and a biological researcher; and my younger daughter is a gastroenterologist and a professor at Tufts Medical Center,” she said. “Not one of those youngsters could have gotten where they are today had it not been for the quality of education they had here in SAD 1. I’ve always been thankful that my husband [the late Dr. Horace Allison] and I decided to come to Presque Isle back in 1965.
“I have developed a great affection for the community. When my husband passed away and when my house burned down to the ground, the help that I got from the community … from the whole county … was absolutely amazing,” said Allison. “I appreciate everything that everyone has ever done to help me, and I stand in awe of the area. I really enjoy being affiliated with this school district because it is a great one. Thank you!”
Superintendent Gehrig Johnson shared how Allison was serving during “probably the tensest moment” for the board.
“In 1992, we were dealing with the issue of harvest recess,” he said. “The board had voted 9-8 to eliminate the harvest. It was a big deal in the town and the agricultural community got organized in the months following that vote and it wound up back on the agenda before the next harvest.
“The meeting was at the former Gouldville Elementary School and it was packed with pro-harvest people. Dana had voted the first time with the majority to phase the harvest out over a three-year period, but on that particular night, it came down to her vote which she switched and voted to extend harvest,” said Johnson. “I mention that because from that moment on, it kind of ended that discussion for really all intents and purposes in the city. Also at that time we decided to revisit the potato harvest issue only if the percentage of students doing harvest-related work got down to 15 percent. When I think of Dana, I think of that night and the stress that everybody was under and I really think she might have been right that night.”
Johnson said he will also remember Allison’s determination to fight for something she believed in.
“Dana’s not afraid to speak her mind,” he said. “She’s gone nose to nose with me, and I remember many, many meetings when she went nose to nose with other board members. At times things got heated, but she always had the respect of the board and we certainly respect her.”
Director Terry Sandusky agreed.
“Dana’s time on the board has been purely accented by her concern and care for the students that we serve,” he said. “No matter whether you disagreed or didn’t disagree with Dana, you always knew that these people [students] were at the heart at whatever issue she was coming forward with. It’s really been a pleasure to have served with her.”
