Along with presidential and legislative elections, voters in MSAD 1 (Presque Isle, Mapleton, Chapman, Castle Hill and Westfield) will elect candidates for nine of its 17 school board seats.
Only one of those races is contested. Incumbent Terry Sandusky and candidate Janet Willette are both running in Section 3.
Seats are also open in the following areas, with the candidates running unopposed: Section 4, Michael Ouellette; Section 8, Brandy Cronin; Section 13, Desiree Albert; and Section 15, John Johnston.
No candidates are running in sections 7, 10, 14 and 17. Write-in spaces will be on the ballots.
To help voters become better informed, The Star-Herald invites candidates in contested races to share their views. We asked Sandusky and Willette the same questions with a 350-word limit. Here are their responses in alphabetical order.
Terry Sandusky
Age: 79
Education: Master of science in clinical psychological services and master of public administration
Employment: Retired regional director of developmental disabilities services; currently volunteer for the maine office of the ombudsman
Family: Wife Susanne, son Don, daughter Jennie, three grandchildren
Why are you running for school board? I have had a wonderful family life and working career. I have been thankful for my life experiences. My service on the SAD 1 board is a way of saying thanks and expressing my gratitude to the educators who taught and prepared me for a rewarding and productive adult life.
Mapleton became our hometown 47 years ago and for it to continue to prosper and grow our neighborhood kids need the same opportunity to receive a quality education as I did in my youth. To make this opportunity possible, I adopted a motto, “committed to keeping children at the heart of every decision.” I am committed to provide our children with the best teachers, the best educational materials and equipment and the safest school facilities.
Our high school was named a National School of Excellence and our agriculture-science program has become a National Showcase Program. Our computer technology and teaching continue to lead the state and our student dropout rates have decreased. The percentage of students seeking higher education and career and technical education continues to climb. This preparation for adult life will continue to enhance the quality of life in Mapleton and the District. I believe my experience and commitment with the school board is what is needed to continue the quality educational experiences our children and youth are receiving.
What are the top three educational priorities you wish to address if elected? 1. To continue employing the best student-centered team of educators, administrators, and support staff in order to deliver the highest quality education program for our children and youth. 2. To provide schools that support and cooperate with families while respecting their personal values and religious beliefs. 3. To demand the most effective and best use of the tax funds provided to SAD 1.
Janet L. Ouellette
Age: 45
Education: Bachelor of science majoring in recreation from the University of Maine at Presque Isle
Employment: Columbia Forest Products
Family: Two kids. Son in 11th grade and daughter in 4th grade.
Why are you running for school board? Having been a K-12 student, volunteer, and employee I want the positive experiences I had with MSAD 1 to continue for my kids and other kids.
What are the top three educational priorities you wish to address if elected? Student learning, policy making, and budgets.
Referendum and poll times
SAD 1 voters will also see a local school referendum question regarding the Presque Isle Tech Center.
The question asks, “Shall the school board of Regional School Unit 79/MSAD 1 be authorized to issue bonds or notes in the name of the RSU for minor capital purposes in an amount not to exceed $708,696 to acquire advanced industry-standard equipment to modernize programs at the Presque Isle Technical Center and train students for careers in high-demand fields?”
The district was approved to receive about $700,000 in equipment bond funding from the Maine Department of Education, according to a letter sent to the school, parents and community from Superintendent Ben Greenlaw.
The tech center will use the funds for equipment for the school farm including a service truck, tractor, sprayer, planter and hay baler, paid for by the department of education at no cost to taxpayers, the letter stated.
A public hearing on the question is slated at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Presque Isle Middle School auditorium.
Polls will be open on Election Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sargent Family Community Center in Presque Isle. At the Mapleton-Castle Hill-Chapman Fire Station, Mapleton residents will vote from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Castle Hill residents from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Chapman voters will cast their ballots from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club. Westfield residents may vote from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Westfield Town Office.
