D-F RSU 68 board candidates speak at forum

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Residents had the opportunity to hear directly from the municipal candidates in Dover-Foxcroft about three weeks prior to the June 8 election during a Candidate Night sponsored by the Piscataquis Chapter of the League of Women Voters at the Center Theatre on May 17.

On June 8 Dover-Foxcroft residents will vote on two, three-year seats on the RSU 68 Board of Directors (five of the nine total positions represent Dover-Foxcroft and the other four are for the other three district communities). Former board member Timothy G. Smith and Stephen G. Robinson both sat on the theater stage to share their platforms and answer audience questions. Incumbent Joel A. Pratt is also a school board candidate.

In his opening statement Robinson said he and his wife retired to town from Searsport four years ago. Robinson grew up in Dover-Foxcroft, graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1975 and went on to receive his bachelor’s in electrical engineering at the University of Maine. Robinson has worked for Central Maine Power, been an energy consultant, worked in property and project management and done some consulting during retirement.

Robinson said his two sons went to Searsport schools and during this time he volunteered on executive leadership committees. “I do think I bring some things to this position with respect to knowledge of the school systems,” he said.

Robinson said in his career he also had board experience, working on negotiating and collective bargaining and managing multi-million-dollar budgets.

“I think the simple goal that I have if I was to get this position on the board is I think of the students in (RSU 68), I think they deserve and should be getting an L.L. Bean education at Mickey Mart’s prices and that’s for the taxpayer,” he said.

“I have two core values that I really believe in, I always have, and I think that has to do with relationships built on respect and performance built on accountability,” Robinson said.

Smith, the assistant head of school at Foxcroft Academy, has worked in education for three decades, including the last 19 years at Foxcroft Academy where he graduated from in 1987. Smith has previously served two terms from 2014-20 on the school board, and is the father of three children who are in grades 11, nine and six.

“Really my motivation for being on the school board is to give back and help out,” he said.

Smith and Robinson were asked if the district should pursue full-time, five-day-a-week pre-K — currently the program is offered for a half day Monday to Friday.

“If that is something that would enrich that program, I would certainly be in favor of that,” Smith said. “More education is certainly better but I would have to look into that.”

Robinson said he would want more information, especially from parents. He said he would want to know why a change is requested and if it is justified then the go-ahead would be given.

They were asked about their stance on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

“As an educator myself I think it’s critical that everybody in a school setting feels included,” Smith said. “I know over the last couple of years it’s definitely been a hot topic in schools. I wouldn’t say I know the best way to tackle that issue but I would say is I go out of my and I think schools should go out of their way to make sure everybody feels included, that nobody’s left out, singled out and that everybody has a place where they feel safe to learn and don’t feel like they are ridiculed for being different or living the life they want to live.” 

Smith said there is a lot of work left to be done, and a lot of education for not only students but parents too. “It’s something to me that’s critical in schools,” he said.

“I think every child deserves the opportunity and we have a responsibility to make sure education is fair, there should be no discrimination whatsoever,” Robinson said.

Aside from COVID-19, Robinson and Smith were asked what three education goals should RSU 68 officials focus on.

“I think assessment, I think look at quality of education by looking at the teaching going on and doing observances,” Robinson said. “So I think one goal would be to do observances, making sure that the standards are being met so that’s really the quality of education they are receiving. No. 2 would be what it costs, like I said before I am a person big on budgets but I think we have got to get these kids figuring out where they want to go and how to get them there.”  

“To me the biggest thing is open mindedness to change,” Smith said. “If you think about it, school is pretty much the same as when I was in school and you were in school and the world is a vastly different place than it was five years ago, 10 years ago, 25 years ago and I don’t know always that all schools have kept up with those changes. So the No. 1 goal would be to make sure we are preparing our students for today’s world, not the 1987 world that I was prepared for because it was very, very different.”

Smith also cited quality and curriculum. He said during his time on the school board frequent curriculum reviews were conducted to ensure students were being taught the right things. Smith also cited student career prep as another goal.

Another question asked if all RSU 68 personnel should be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Smith said there are philosophical reasons for people to not get vaccinated and the general public has the a “but working in a school I think it’s critical.”

“I think it’s critical for us to get back to somewhat normalcy for as many people as possible with the vaccine,” he said. “Working with children, working in school every day, we are sending kids home because they have had a close contact and they need to quarantine and they keep missing more and more time.” 

Robinson also acknowledged people’s right to choose but said for this question the answer is yes.

The pair was asked about their plans to address the needs of LGBTQ students, support groups, inclusiveness and ongoing discussion with staff and students.

Smith said he is not fully up to date on all the board initiatives but knows a lot of work has been done. “That’s super important to me personally and I would make it a point that the work they have started continues and that all students feel — like I said before — safe and comfortable in the learning environment and that all their needs are addressed,” he said.

“I would focus on the process to deal with it and I would want to go back and assess what is, what the problems are,” Robinson said. “I would want to get involved heavily, ask a lot of questions and work to resolve those issues for the betterment of the student.”

They were asked about their top priorities for the educational system if elected.

“Making sure our kids are getting what they need to be successful,” Smith said. “I think it’s really important kids are prepared and educated for what’s out there.”

“To look at the entire school system, I think I would go back to performing some type of audit or assessment,” Robinson said. He said he likes to break things down and put them back together and problem hunt, saying getting teachers involved in any audit or assessment would be key as they likely already know the answers to problems.

“I think I have things to offer, whether it’s an outside look coming in and looking at things differently,” Robinson said in his closing remarks. “I look for problems, I do a lot of planning so I look ahead. That’s kind of my forte so that’s what I have to offer for this position.”

He said everything would be for the purpose of providing great education to students and supporting people who provide this.

“I spent six years on the board, I’m proud to have been involved in RSU 68,” Smith said. “Our children are fortunate to go to RSU 68 as opposed to maybe some schools in some other districts around. I think if you live in Dover-Foxcroft and you’re a kid you’re pretty lucky. I think the education that is provided is outstanding. My three kids, I’m very happy with the education they are receiving. I think we’re very fortunate to have the teachers we have, the administrators that we have. Is everything perfect, no but nothing is and I would just like the opportunity to continue the good work that the district has done and will continue to do.”

The full forum is available on the Center Theatre YouTube channel.