Name: Marie-Josee Castonguay

Address: Livermore

Age:  37

Occupation: Adult education instructor

Name:  Patricia M. Keen

Address: Livermore

Age: 59

Occupation: Retired business owner, accountant

LIVERMORE — Two residents are running for one, three-year term on the Regional School Unit 36 Board of Directors on Tuesday, June 8.

Incumbent Director Marie-Josee Castonguay is being challenged by Patricia Keen.

The polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office.

Both candidates are in favor of consolidating school systems with Jay as long as it is done fairly, and benefits students and taxpayers.

The two districts seek to develop a second plan for consolidation that they hope voters will pass in Livermore, Livermore Falls and Jay to provide a quality education to students and save taxpayers money in all three towns. The first plan was rejected by voters in the towns in 2009.

“I believe that a consolidation with Jay is inevitable,” Castonguay said. “I believe that it could benefit the students and taxpayers of all three towns if the consolidation happens fairly. Therefore, the primary responsibility of a RSU 36 board member is to keep in mind the needs of RSU 36’s students and taxpayers.”

Keen concurs.

“I do believe that this is a great idea, on one condition, that it saves the taxpayers money and gives our children a great education,” Keen said.  

The two believe one of the major issues the district faces is improving students’ achievements at the high school. Livermore Falls High School was named in March as one of 10 schools in the state as a low-performing school based on annual statewide testing scores. The district has applied for federal grant money to put a rigorous plan in place to improve literacy and math scores.

“Being one of the 10 worst schools in the state of Maine is a major issue,” Keen said.

If elected, she would try to help resolve the issue by “looking at teacher performance and student attitude. I went to school here and we never had these issues, I know times change but respect for self  and others is lacking here at LFHS. Both teachers and students need to be held accountable for these low scores,” she said.

Castonguay said there is more than one major issue the board has on its plate.  

“We have a new superintendent beginning on July 1. We have all the issues surrounding the high school. We have the negotiations with Jay regarding consolidation and the decrease in state funding to support our school district,” Castonguay said. “To help resolve the issues mentioned, I would attend and participate in all meetings and monitor the progress being made in all areas.”

She believes that she has a lot to offer the district as it moves forward.

“I am a loving parent of four children attending the district schools,” Castonguay said. “I have actively participated in the board and its committees for three and a half years and, most importantly, I care deeply about our students, the financial support of our district and the financial burden on the Livermore taxpayers.”

Keen believes her business background would be asset to the board and district.

“I have helped build two businesses which are still running strong,” Keen said. “I am a certified accountant, and I can make a decision on facts and not emotions. I want to help solve problems not create them.”

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