JAY — Regional School Unit 73 directors elected Holly Morris, of Livermore, as board chair May 14 after a divided vote and a brief discussion about how the board should move forward.

Morris was nominated near the start of the meeting. Asked whether she would accept the position and what she would bring to the role, Morris said she would serve if directors wanted her to.

“I think (we need) more communication as a board,” Morris said. “I think in the past we’ve kind of played one side against the other. I don’t want to see that. I want us to come together as a board, discuss things, have more communication, transparency, more interaction with community, more interaction with parents, teachers, students.”

The board voted 6-5 to elect Morris. After the vote, she moved to the chair’s seat and led the rest of the meeting.

Directors later elected Michele Moffett, of Livermore Falls, as vice chair. Moffett was not present, but directors said she had submitted a letter saying she would accept the nomination.

During public comment, Linda Dean, of Livermore, said a school board seat is “a position of public trust.” She urged directors to keep students at the center of their decisions.

“The work of this board should be guided by the needs of our students, not by outside agendas, personal ideology, fear-based messaging, or pressure from organizations that do not live with the consequences of the decisions made here,” Dean said.

Dean said absenteeism is one of the biggest issues facing the district and the board should look beyond blame when considering why students miss school.

“Some families are struggling and some students feel disconnected, unsafe, unsupported or unheard,” Dean said. “Others may be dealing with anxiety, bullying, poverty, or challenges at home.”

Dean said bullying should also be part of the attendance discussion because students who feel targeted, isolated or unsafe are less likely to attend school and less able to learn.

“Students learn better when they feel safe,” Dean said. “They attend more often when they feel connected, and they succeed when they know they matter.”

Dean also connected the strength of the school system to the future of the broader community, saying strong schools help keep families in the area, attract new families, support local businesses and show employers the community is worth investing in.

“My hope for this board is simple,” Dean said. “Stay focused on students. All students. Make decisions based on facts, fairness, law and compassion.”

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