1.  How many years have you lived in Maine?

I first came to Maine 6 years ago after I graduated from Marlboro College in Vermont, in order to be with my partner of 8 years, Anna Trevorrow.  I am proud to have chosen Maine as my         home.

2.  What experiences, motivations, and leadership styles will make you an effective member of the School Committee?

    I have been involved in both running and creating nonprofit organizations, and so understand that collaboration and understanding are the secrets to successful leadership. Also,  I work in local and statewide politics and community activism. I cannot imagine a life without serving the community in my spare time. Politics is often stigmatized as a nasty and unfortunately even dishonest business. But, the truth is, the majority of the people who choose to run for office truly care about their neighbors, and they work tirelessly to make positive differences in our lives. I have been proud to help many fine candidates run for office, advance the debate, and get elected.

3.  If elected, what will your top three priorities be?  How do they impact young people in Portland?

    If elected I will:

    1) Strengthen our community centers and schools by working to improve the quality of and accessibility to our community centers and maintain a safe environment

    2) Invest in our community centers and schools to achieve long term monetary savings and reduce pollution.

    3) Work with our neighbors to identify and address community challenges.

4.  Please share one positive change you have seen in our schools and in the School Committee over the last year?

    There seems to be better procedures in place to handle the budget, and the School Committee has been less contentious and political.  There are a lot of good people with good ideas on the Committee, but they need a chance to move forward on those ideas.

5.  Please share one frustrating change you have seen in our schools and in the School Committee over the last year?

   The School Committee has not had a chance, do largely to budget problems, to move forward and implement the forward thinking policies our schools need.

6.  What competing responsibilities do you have, both professionally and personally, and how will you juggle those responsibilities?

    I have a family and a career. I live with my partner Anna Trevorrow, and our four-legged friend Toby, and work full-time at WGME, Channel 13. I am prepared to devote the time needed to not just attend the meetings, but also to work hard between meetings to learn from and collaborate with the community.

7.  How will you make Portland schools more effective and cost efficient?

    I want to develop energy efficient facilities that will generate long-term monetary savings.  I also support curriculum design beyond the traditional classroom setting, such as project-based and experiential learning, as effective ways to enhance education.

8.  What is your position on school consolidation? How will you deal with either outcome of the upcoming ballot question concerning school consolidation?

    The state-wide school consolidation plan will not effect Portland schools like it will those in rural areas of Maine. I believe schools are important places for building and maintaining neighborhood community and identity.  Schools and community centers provide resources not just for our children but for all of us.  In the end, it is all about deciding what is best for Portland families.

9.  What do you think the role of School Committee should be in determining the school budget?  What ways will you improve the process of school budgeting?

    The School Committee should propose the most fiscally responsible budget by exploring all practical and legal sources of income and guiding expenditures so as to achieve the greatest educational return.  The Committee should also focus on transparency by maintaining efficient accounting and reporting procedures.

10.  With the current reality of the state and city’s school budgets, more cuts seem likely.  What will you cut and why?

    The School Committee should explore creative ways to save money, like "greening" our facilities and reducing our need for oil -- one of the school budget's largest line-item expenses. The Committee should work with the unions to find savings.  As a union worker, I understand that workers are willing to cooperate to reduce expenses. We are all in this together.

12.  How do we increase the number of graduates that go on to pursue post-secondary education?  What benchmarks would inform Portland schools towards reaching these goals?

     
      College reading and writing levels should be demonstrated before graduation. I believe that an innovative learning curriculum engages students in a way that promotes the critical thinking skills necessary to pursue post-secondary education. Also, a college pledge that is tied to incentives will make college a reality for many students.

13.  How will you improve the quality of education for students who speak English as a second language?

    English as a second language should be regarded as an essential and important program that requires the School Committee's full attention.  Fully funding ESL programs to avoid federal penalties is essential to improving the quality of the education. I would consider putting benchmarks in place so we can better judge how our ESL programs are performing.

14.  Do you think student transportation needs any changes?  Why or why not?

    Changes in the transportation infrastructure such as natural gas or hybrid buses would save money and teach kids the importance of protecting our environment.  Also, a "walking school bus" system could provide a safe and fun way for kids to arrive at school in high traffic areas.  Promoting reduced metro rates could also save money and reduce pollution.

15.  Do you have children and where did/do they attend school?

    I do not have children.  I believe the schools belong to all of us and are integral elements of our community. Education is the foundation upon which Portland's prosperity and progressive values are based.

16.  Data shows enrollment is declining in some Portland schools.  Why do you think this is?  What, if anything, should be done about it?

    Years of suburbanization has taken families away from the urban centers all over the country.  This trend is reversing and that will be good for Portland.  Families often move to their chosen communities before their children are enrolled in school.  By focusing on recruiting before kids are in first grade, we can attract families to live in Portland and to send their children to our excellent schools.