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Bios:

Name:  Diane Gould

Address:  Livermore

Age: N/A

Occupation:  Stay-at-home mom

Name: Timothy Madden

Address: 231 Strickland Ferry Road, Livermore

Age:  58

Occupation:  Human resources, loss control, training, safety, project manager

Name: Ashley O’Brien

Address: Bartlett Pond Road, Livermore

Age: 63

Occupation: Owner Western Maine Propane  

Name: Cynthia Parker Young

Address 126 Hathaway Hill Road, Livermore

Age: 50

Occupation: Optician for William Beeaker O.D.

LIVERMORE — Four residents are running for three seats on the new Regional School Unit 73 Board of Directors.

Voters from Jay and the RSU 36 towns of Livermore and Livermore Falls agreed to consolidate the two school systems as of July 1.

A 13-member board will be elected at the polls in each town on Tuesday, April 19. Three of the members will be from Livermore.

The polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Livermore Town Office.

Candidates Diane Gould, Timothy Madden, Ashley O’Brien and Cindy Young each have ideas on what will need to happen immediately once the systems become one.

“We need to get the kids ‘test ready’ to pass the state required tests and we need to start evaluating kids’ performance even more so to find out where the problems are. We all have a part to play in bringing accountability to the whole process; administration, teachers, kids and community,” Gould said.

Madden said a partnership needs to be developed involving students, parents, teachers and community that are passionate about creating an environment where students learn versus being taught.      

On the first day of school next fall teachers from two different systems will meet students from three different schools in the Jay Middle School, O’Brien said.  

“The challenge is for the staff to identify and bring together the best of both systems into a common curriculum, single culture and uniform expectations,” O’Brien said.

Young believes the most important task to complete for the new RSU 73 is to merge the schools together, align the curriculum, and find the best solutions for the students and teachers.

Candidates believe they could help accomplish the tasks if they are elected.

“If I am re-elected I will listen to the choices put before the board and vote for what is best for the students, staff and taxpayers,” Young said.

O’Brien said if he is elected, his role is to work with administration to develop policy, goals and expectations; and then evaluate and hold administration accountable.

If elected, Madden said he will promote the exchange of ideas that students, parents, teachers and community have, realizing that all ideas are important. 

“From this process we would choose the best five to seven ideas,” Madden said. Then, as the board and administration structure the new RSU, these ideas would be used as a reference to add value to what and how the students will be learning, he said.

“We would also keep everyone focused on making decisions that add value and ensures successful student learning,” Madden said.       

“If elected I would work to develop a more challenging curriculum for our gifted and talented students while broadening the available classes for all students,” Gould said.

Each candidate has skills that they feel will be a benefit to the new board and school district.  

O’Brien believes that the board has an obligation to make sure that every student has the opportunity for an education that will enhance their self respect and help them respond to life’s challenges. He plans to do what he can to help.

Gould plans to use her listening skills to get input from teachers, parents and administrators to find a good balance of ideas which can be applied to “our consolidation process.” 

Madden said his many years of experiences as a human resources/ training/ loss control/ safety manager will help the district.

He said he also believes his numerous years in other leadership roles will benefit the district, including U.S. army trainer, basketball coach, and partnering with area businesses and Livermore Falls High School to develop and operate a nationally recognized plumbing class for area students.

“My ‘skill’ that I bring to the board is the interest of what happens to our schools,” Young said. “I like to go to the meetings and learn about the changes and help in some of the decisions. I don’t have my own agenda, I just like to stay connected to my school and the school that my sons graduated from.”

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RSU 73 board candidate

RSU 73 board candidate

Candidate for RSU 73 board

RSU 73 board candidate