RSU 14 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES
(Windham, two available positions, three-year terms)
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| Vying to fill two three-year positions on the RSU 14 Board of Directors for Windham are, from left, incumbent Marge Govoni, newcomer Caitlynn Downs, and former board member Christina Small. SUBMITTED PHOTOS |
Marjorie (Marge) Govoni
RSU 14 Board of Directors
Occupation: Retired (now I work harder, LOL)
Previous Elected Experience: I have been serving on this School Board since 2008/2009.
Why are you running for this position and please be specific.
“I would like to continue the work on the new WMS committee, being board representative to the Vocational Schools, the Finance and Facilities committees and other endeavors. I make a point of visiting all the schools so I am up to date on what is happening in all the buildings and I have a good relationship with staff and administrators. I care deeply about the education our students receive and I want to help students and staff get all the support they need.”
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue currently facing RSU 14 right now?
“Following the crisis that students, families, and staff went through during the pandemic I think these are pressing issues right now. 1. Helping our students get back on track emotionally and academically. 2. Making our staff feel valued and supported emotionally. 3. Teacher/Parent relationships.”
What three things have you accomplished to benefit this community in the past three years?
“I am the Program Coordinator, fundraiser and head up the packing for the Backpack Program (weekend food program for students in need) and have been since its inception. I established a Community Wellness Committee consisting of School Administrators, Town Management and numerous department heads to meet and discuss issues facing our residents. I am one of the founders of the Windham Community Garden and a committee member, we presently have around 90 beds for folks who are looking to grow their own vegetables. I am also on the local Planning Board. And that is just a few of my accomplishments.”
What do you think you will do better or differently than your opponents if you are elected?
“I don’t know if I would do anything better or different than my opponents but I will say that I do not have any personal agenda items and I have always put my heart and soul in trying to do the right thing, whatever that might be at the moment.”
What are the greatest economic, cultural, and social strengths of this community in your opinion, and how will you support those strengths if elected?
“This community always comes through when there is a need, whether it be food donations to the food pantry or monetary donations to programs like Neighbors Helping Neighbors. I find this community very accepting of all generations, nationalities, and social standings. I cannot begin to number how many times residents, businesses and organizations have come forward when there is a need. I feel I support these strengths by my continued community involvement, and I think I work harder now than when I was employed.”
How would you rate the caliber of education currently offered to students by RSU 14?
“We can always improve and I give the RSU 14 administrators kudos for always looking to improve and help the students be prepared for life after school, whether it be college, vocational training, military or the work force.”
What are your thoughts about the parent’s rights movement in Maine education?
“Parents have a right to be involved in their children's education, but I think there is a fine line between being involved and having unreasonable expectations. I would like them to remember that they have entrusted their children to the schools with the expectation that they will receive an education that will help them succeed when they leave school. I would hope that there was an open line of communication between staff and parents. Please remember that we all have student's best interest at heart and hopefully we can find a common ground.”
What would you do if elected to support teachers and school administrators at RSU 14 schools to ensure that they give the best possible education to the students of this community?
“I would continue to support them in any way possible as I have since first coming on the Board. I am on the contract negotiations team and I and others try to hire and retain the best teachers possible, which also applies to support staff and administrators. We have caring professional staff in this district, and I will always support them when needed.”
Caitlynn Downs
RSU 14 Board of Directors
Occupation: Office Manager for State Farm
Previous Elected Experience: No elected experience. I was a Big Sister with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization for more than ten years and was honored to be named Match of the Year in 2019.
Why are you running for this position and please be specific.
“I want to help facilitate open lines of communication between the School Board and parents within our community and maintain positive working relationships to provide the best educational experiences for our children.”
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue currently facing RSU 14 right now?
“How the Department of Education focus on social issues and identity is distracting to standard academic learning.”
What three things have you accomplished to benefit this community in the past three years?
“I was able to participate in supporting parent’s choice of optional masking for their students within our schools. I have participated in the Relay for Life walks held by the American Cancer Society and hosted golf tournaments to fund raise for those events.”
What do you think you will do better or differently than your opponents if you are elected?
“Place a strong focus on open dialogue in a transparent setting where everyone feels welcome and heard. I will be a fresh voice in an everchanging community dynamic. I know we are all working to achieve the same goal, which is to educate fantastic students, and I will continue to support teachers and administrators within RSU 14 to be able to do the amazing work they do each day.”
“What are the greatest economic, cultural, and social strengths of this community in your opinion, and how will you support those strengths if elected?
“One of the best parts of this town is seeing how the community really supports one another. Small businesses and restaurants congratulate sports teams with their signs, mention words of support and they will advertise for fundraisers. It’s a very giving community and giving back to the community is something I try to participate in any capacity I am able.”
How would rate the caliber of education currently offered to students by RSU 14?
“I would rate it very highly; it was a big reason of why we moved to Windham when our oldest daughter became of school age.”
What are your thoughts about the parent’s rights movement in Maine education?
“Parental rights are non-negotiable. The parent is responsible for their child. It should not have to be a movement. A parent has every right to know and understand what happens within the school while their child is present, and every right to question it as well.”
What would you do if elected to support teachers and school administrators at RSU 14 schools to ensure that they give the best possible education to the students of this community?
“Continue to focus on transparency and open dialogue with administrators, teachers, parents, and students to be sure we are hearing and understanding what they need to be the best they can in their individual roles.”
Christina Small
RSU 14 Board of Directors
Occupation: Noon Monitor at Windham Primary School
Previous Elected Experience: Two years RSU 14 Board of Directors in 2020 and 2021.
Why are you running for this position and please be specific.
“I have always had a strong sense of civic duty. Schoolboardmanship is often underappreciated work and up until the past few years ignored by most. I first joined the Board prior to the pandemic because I know that it takes the work of a community to provide the best education to our students and I want to be a part of that any way I can.”
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue currently facing RSU 14 right now?
“As with almost every organization right now, staffing. We need to ensure we're retaining the people we have and creating an environment that will attract other qualified individuals.”
What three things have you accomplished to benefit this community in the past three years?
“During my previous tenure on the board, I helped usher the district through the many changes brought on by the pandemic. I also worked to pass two responsible budgets during periods of economic uncertainty. In the year since I worked to develop positive relationships with learners at WPS while helping fill a critical staffing need.”
What do you think you will do better or differently than your opponents if you are elected?
“My experience working and volunteering at WPS this past year has provided me with an additional perspective and insight into the workings of our schools. Also as I have served in this position before I will be up to speed much faster than my opponent.”
What are the greatest economic, cultural, and social strengths of this community in your opinion, and how will you support those strengths if elected?
Question not answered by candidate.
How would rate the caliber of education currently offered to students by RSU 14?
“When my husband and I moved to Windham 9 years ago it was in large part due to the high quality of schools in the district. WHS’s graduation rate is higher than the state average which I feel is a direct result of the hard work of our staff as well as the multiple pathways to graduation offered.”
What are your thoughts about the parent’s rights movement in Maine education?
“I feel this movement is being driven by a national cultural divide rather than any local issue. If a parent has a concern about what is being taught in their child's classroom, I would encourage them to contact the teacher and ask open ended questions without assumptions or accusations. I believe they'd find that our teachers want to partner with parents, not work against them.”
What would you do if elected to support teachers and school administrators at RSU 14 schools to ensure that they give the best possible education to the students of this community?
“I want to ensure they have the resources needed to successfully run their classroom and schools. I respect our teachers and administrators as the experienced professionals they are and they deserve to have the tools and the space to do what we hired them to do.”
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