By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Dale Gordon, 54, is seeking to be re-elected to the Eastern Aroostook Regional School Board (RSU 39).
The candidate is currently chair of the RSU 39 board, which she has been a member of since 2000. She is also sits on the Board of Trustees, Maine School of Science and Mathematics. She has also been a member of a large variety of nursing associations.
Gordon is a family nurse practitioner with primary employment in the TAMC emergency department. She has an extensive background in education including having taught at the Northern Maine Community College and the University of Maine at Fort Kent for 15 years. She graduated in 1978 with a bachelor of arts degree from Smith College with a major in biology with concentration in American Studies; in 1981 she completed a three-year master of science in the applied nursing program at McGill University; completed her internship in 1981 at McGill University, including clinical affiliation with the family practice units of the McGill teaching hospitals and in 1995 completed a 33-credit post master’s program at the University of Maine at Orono, receiving a certificate of advanced study. The candidate has sat on a wide variety of local and state boards and commissions regarding education and nursing issues. In Feb. 1993 she wrote, submitted, defended and won legislative enactment of LD 236 An Act to Permit Children 5 Years of Age to Enter Grade One.
Gordon said she decided to run for re-election to the RSU 39 Board of Education because, “I have seen the RSU 39 evolve and face many challenges over the past 11 years and I would like to continue to be part of that process and growth.”
On important issues facing the community the candidate stated “the community faces financial and social constraints and opportunities and I hope that the RSU 39 can have a positive impact on those issues. Educating our children is the hope for our future.”
If elected Gordon stated her primary goal as “providing students with the best education the RSU can afford so they are prepared to meet the challenges of post secondary education, employment, advances in technology and becoming a good citizen.”
In response as to why voters should elect Gordon to this position she said “my experience, education and history on the RSU 39 board.”
Gordon resides in Caribou and has three sons who are attending college or graduate school at the University of Maine, Virginia Tech and Brandeis.
Mary Bragdon White is a candidate for one of the two available seats on the Eastern Aroostook Regional School Board of Education (RSU 39).
White earned her master’s degree in social work in 1995 from the University of Maine at Orono. She worked at the Aroostook Mental Health Center for 18 years; four years as a social worker for Presque Isle High School and is currently employed by the University of New England as a member of their field faculty.
“My primary reason for running for the RSU 39 Board of Education is to serve my community and participate in the major decision-making process for the children of RSU 39. I also am interested as I have two children who attend CMS,” said White. “To date, I have been very pleased with their education and would like to be part of what I consider to be an excellent example of public education.”
White stated that the most important issue facing the community is “first, maintaining the ability for RSU 39 staff and faculty to continue to provide quality education/services with less available resources from the state and federal government and also keeping technology current in today’s academic environment.”
As a member of the board of education, White said her primary goal would be “collaborating with other board members and stake holders in the community to ensure the best possible education is being provided at RSU 39.”
If elected White stated, “I consider myself to be fair, level-headed and a good advocate. I will work hard for the community members and devote myself to the position and responsibilities which ensue.”
White is married and resides in Caribou. She has two daughters, two step-daughters and three grandchildren.
