Address: 301 Adams Pond Road, Boothbay

Occupation: Destination Experience Coordinator - Boothbay Craft Brewery, Tavern, & RV Resort; Owner - First Light RV Solutions

Education:

-Southport Central School - K-5. I was the sole student in my grade for the majority of my years there.

-Boothbay Region Elementary School - 6 through 8.

-Boothbay Region High School - 9th grade. I was very involved in the high school football program under Coach Rice. However, I struggled academically and socially due to being used to the one-on-one learning that I had at Southport.

-Hyde School - Bath - Class of 2012 - High honors, received the Integrity award.

-Attended Thomas College - Waterville

-National RV Training Academy - Recreational Vehicle Technician Association - Certified Technician

Political History (Board, Committees):

Exploring our Schools Future Committee

Clubs/Organizations:

Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Trolley Committee

Considering the position you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues?

The three major challenges facing the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District are escalating costs, declining student enrollment, and aging infrastructure. These issues are not only impacting the quality of education and availability of student activities but also imposing a significant financial burden on the community.

Spending is the most significant concern I hear from taxpayers. If the upcoming FY26 budget passes, the cost will be nearly $30,000 per student, almost double the Maine state average of $15,691 per student. Despite these high costs, the district has cut student programs such as shop, home economics, and band. This highlights the need to reevaluate spending priorities to ensure resources are effectively allocated to support student learning.

From 2002 to 2022, the district experienced a 51.14% decline in enrollment; this trend is set to continue downward at an annual rate of 5% or more for the foreseeable future. The Boothbay Region High School, which is rated for 300 students, is projected to have 163 students this coming school year. To maintain athletics, some sports have been combined with those of other schools, which have a similar declining enrollment rate.

The aging infrastructure of the schools is a critical issue. Many schools in Maine, including ours, were built in the same decade and are now in need of replacement. The district’s failure to plan ahead and apply for state funding has led to a rushed process, placing an undue burden on local taxpayers. Investing in a new, modern, and safe elementary school building, with funding from the state, could be more efficient and cost-effective in the long run compared to repairs of existing structures.

 The District must be transparent and held accountable by taxpayers so that it proactively addresses these challenges.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office?

I truly believe I want what everyone wants: a great school for our region’s students, but I also want that school to be run efficiently, with transparency and accountability to parents and taxpayers. My goal is to listen to what Boothbay residents want, while providing all the facts and data that is needed to make informed decisions about our community schools.