Election 2007: Two candidates seek two-year school board seat (Printed Oct. 19, 2007)
Dianne Messer
22 Downeast Lane
Education: Associates Degree, Holyoke Community College
Occupation: Event Planner with Harmon’s & Barton’s
Age: 51
Party Affiliation: Independent
Political experience: Scarborough Board of Education 2004-2007
Civic associations: Former Girl Scout Leader, former Board member of the Kennebec Girls Scout Council, assistant to the youth cheering coach, member of the Board of Directors of the Scarborough Football Club.
Statement about candidacy: I have enjoyed my three years serving on the Board of Education. I think that we have made great strides as a district. In particular in the areas of communicating with the public and addressing their concerns. We have an outstanding school system. look forward to working toward further improving it.
Jacquelyn (Jackie) A. Perry
Black Point Road
Education: B.S. in Education, Univ. of Maine, Orono; Masters Ed. in English and Administration, Univ. of Maine, Portland-Gorham (now USM)
Occupation: Accounts Receivable Oak Hill Hardware, Inc.
Age: 70
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Several terms on the Board of Education
Civic associations: Past-President of Kiwanis, Library Board, Chair of Charter Commission, Board of Scarborough Foundation Dollars for Scholars.
Statement about candidacy: Scarborough is a wonderful town with an outstanding school system. We have supportive parents who are involved with their students and that is a blessing. I have always been honored and proud to serve on the Board of Education. I listen well and participate in the “discussion” before deciding my course of action. I am not always right, and the public may not always agree with me, but you will always know that I speak the truth and you will know where I stand on issues. I am convinced that by keeping the students first, the parents will be happy, the staff will be happy and the general public will be happy.
Tax-reform priorities:
Dianne Messer: The Board of Education has a responsibility to balance the needs of our students with the ability of the taxpayers to pay for these needs. We are one of the few districts in the State of Maine that is below the mandated Essential Programs and Services (EPS) financial requirements. I feel we have done a good job in balancing the needs versus the costs.
Jackie Perry: The legislature should enact a law that will freeze the property taxes of retirees, who have worked in Maine, until the property changes hands. Also, there are still people in Maine (one of seven states) that reduces the Social Security of some individuals who have earned Maine State Retirement. At the present time we are just shifting tax burdens and our most vulnerable citizens – children, elderly and the mentally ill – are the big losers.
Curriculum development:
Messer: Scarborough presently has a wide ranged curriculum. Recently the Board of Education has implemented a curriculum committee that will periodically review the school curriculum. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful director of curriculum, Monique Culbertson, who has done an excellent job in updating our curriculum to meet the needs of our students.
Perry: We must continue to challenge all students with attainable goals and prepare our students to become productive citizens.
District consolidation law:
Messer: Scarborough is a stand-alone district and the consolidation law has not impacted us that much at this point. However, the law does require that the school budget be approved by the citizens via referendum vote. The Board of Education will have to keep the voters informed on the critical needs of the district. I am confident that the voters of Scarborough will vote appropriately if they’re properly informed on the needs of the district.
Perry: Although we do not have to merge with another district, we do have to reduce spending in certain areas. Those reductions should be recommended by the administration and acted upon by the Board. It is more difficult to reduce when the district has already been cited as exemplary in most areas.
Special education:
Messer: This is mandated by federal law. There is not much flexibility on this issue although the consolidation law requires a 5 percent reduction.
Perry: Scarborough delivers excellent services in special education. Some federal and state laws restrict what we can do and cause us to spend huge sums on the programs.
Infrastructure needs:
Messer: I believe that the infrastructure needs must be addressed within the next year. I strongly believe that by reconfiguring grades and housing grades 3 / 4 and grades 5 / 6 in one building we can solve our capacity problem at the Middle School. I would suggest a referendum question on a fiscally responsible plan for an intermediate school that houses grades 3 through 6, and that we have this on the ballot in 2008.
Perry: Without question, Wentworth has to be a priority. It will take a collaboration of citizens and board members to develop a plan that will be accepted by the voters. I am confident a plan will be developed. I am also aware that the Middle School is very overcrowded but the public is not convinced that we should add to that school. I will continue to seek solutions there as well.
School spending priorities:
Messer: I have always believed that we should budget from the classroom up rather than the administration down. The needs of the students should always come first.
Perry: Spending priorities need to be set by the administration and the board working together for the education of the students. My priorities are to have classes as small as we can afford and the best teaching staff available.
Areas of school spending to be cut or eliminated:
Messer: The new consolidation law requires us to reduce spending by 5 percent on transportation, administration, maintenance and special education. Since we are already below the EPS numbers I think we are fine in all other areas.
Perry: I have no plans to offer an area that needs to be reduced or eliminated.
Goals to accomplish in the next term:
Messer: I would like to see a referendum question on the ballot in 2008 for a new intermediate school for grades 3 through 6. I would like to see all sanctioned sports fully funded. Lastly, continue to strive to improve our test scores for the MEA’s and the SAT’s.
Perry: My goals will be to pass the budget, develop a plan for Wentworth and continue to have a school system where we all work together to educate our students.
22 Downeast Lane
Education: Associates Degree, Holyoke Community College
Occupation: Event Planner with Harmon’s & Barton’s
Age: 51
Party Affiliation: Independent
Political experience: Scarborough Board of Education 2004-2007
Civic associations: Former Girl Scout Leader, former Board member of the Kennebec Girls Scout Council, assistant to the youth cheering coach, member of the Board of Directors of the Scarborough Football Club.
Statement about candidacy: I have enjoyed my three years serving on the Board of Education. I think that we have made great strides as a district. In particular in the areas of communicating with the public and addressing their concerns. We have an outstanding school system. look forward to working toward further improving it.
Jacquelyn (Jackie) A. Perry
Black Point Road
Education: B.S. in Education, Univ. of Maine, Orono; Masters Ed. in English and Administration, Univ. of Maine, Portland-Gorham (now USM)
Occupation: Accounts Receivable Oak Hill Hardware, Inc.
Age: 70
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Several terms on the Board of Education
Civic associations: Past-President of Kiwanis, Library Board, Chair of Charter Commission, Board of Scarborough Foundation Dollars for Scholars.
Statement about candidacy: Scarborough is a wonderful town with an outstanding school system. We have supportive parents who are involved with their students and that is a blessing. I have always been honored and proud to serve on the Board of Education. I listen well and participate in the “discussion” before deciding my course of action. I am not always right, and the public may not always agree with me, but you will always know that I speak the truth and you will know where I stand on issues. I am convinced that by keeping the students first, the parents will be happy, the staff will be happy and the general public will be happy.
Tax-reform priorities:
Dianne Messer: The Board of Education has a responsibility to balance the needs of our students with the ability of the taxpayers to pay for these needs. We are one of the few districts in the State of Maine that is below the mandated Essential Programs and Services (EPS) financial requirements. I feel we have done a good job in balancing the needs versus the costs.
Jackie Perry: The legislature should enact a law that will freeze the property taxes of retirees, who have worked in Maine, until the property changes hands. Also, there are still people in Maine (one of seven states) that reduces the Social Security of some individuals who have earned Maine State Retirement. At the present time we are just shifting tax burdens and our most vulnerable citizens – children, elderly and the mentally ill – are the big losers.
Curriculum development:
Messer: Scarborough presently has a wide ranged curriculum. Recently the Board of Education has implemented a curriculum committee that will periodically review the school curriculum. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful director of curriculum, Monique Culbertson, who has done an excellent job in updating our curriculum to meet the needs of our students.
Perry: We must continue to challenge all students with attainable goals and prepare our students to become productive citizens.
District consolidation law:
Messer: Scarborough is a stand-alone district and the consolidation law has not impacted us that much at this point. However, the law does require that the school budget be approved by the citizens via referendum vote. The Board of Education will have to keep the voters informed on the critical needs of the district. I am confident that the voters of Scarborough will vote appropriately if they’re properly informed on the needs of the district.
Perry: Although we do not have to merge with another district, we do have to reduce spending in certain areas. Those reductions should be recommended by the administration and acted upon by the Board. It is more difficult to reduce when the district has already been cited as exemplary in most areas.
Special education:
Messer: This is mandated by federal law. There is not much flexibility on this issue although the consolidation law requires a 5 percent reduction.
Perry: Scarborough delivers excellent services in special education. Some federal and state laws restrict what we can do and cause us to spend huge sums on the programs.
Infrastructure needs:
Messer: I believe that the infrastructure needs must be addressed within the next year. I strongly believe that by reconfiguring grades and housing grades 3 / 4 and grades 5 / 6 in one building we can solve our capacity problem at the Middle School. I would suggest a referendum question on a fiscally responsible plan for an intermediate school that houses grades 3 through 6, and that we have this on the ballot in 2008.
Perry: Without question, Wentworth has to be a priority. It will take a collaboration of citizens and board members to develop a plan that will be accepted by the voters. I am confident a plan will be developed. I am also aware that the Middle School is very overcrowded but the public is not convinced that we should add to that school. I will continue to seek solutions there as well.
School spending priorities:
Messer: I have always believed that we should budget from the classroom up rather than the administration down. The needs of the students should always come first.
Perry: Spending priorities need to be set by the administration and the board working together for the education of the students. My priorities are to have classes as small as we can afford and the best teaching staff available.
Areas of school spending to be cut or eliminated:
Messer: The new consolidation law requires us to reduce spending by 5 percent on transportation, administration, maintenance and special education. Since we are already below the EPS numbers I think we are fine in all other areas.
Perry: I have no plans to offer an area that needs to be reduced or eliminated.
Goals to accomplish in the next term:
Messer: I would like to see a referendum question on the ballot in 2008 for a new intermediate school for grades 3 through 6. I would like to see all sanctioned sports fully funded. Lastly, continue to strive to improve our test scores for the MEA’s and the SAT’s.
Perry: My goals will be to pass the budget, develop a plan for Wentworth and continue to have a school system where we all work together to educate our students.
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