I am running for a two-year position (Belfast) for the newly formed RSU 71 School Board. I am tremendously eager to take part in this chance to truly reform our school system by building on past successes and seizing new opportunities for innovation and growth.

I am currently serving on the RSU 20 Board of Directors and have been doing so since November 2013.  There was quite a bit of discord and dysfunction on the board, but I was able to work with all Members to achieve consensus on some important items, including the budget and the formation of a Food Services Committee, which seeks to hold the food service department finically accountable and to improve the nutrition provided to the children of our community.

What excites me most about RSU 71 is that we have a clean slate. By having a smaller board, I believe we will be able to have a more effective dialogue about how to help our students and our schools achieve greatness. In order to fully seize this opportunity, I propose the following first steps:

1)   Board members should immediately schedule a forum for teachers, parents, administrators and the general public to identify what the community would like to see in our new leadership team.

2)   Board members should visit all schools in the newly formed RSU together in order to gain a sense of what is working and what can be improved.

3)   Board members should meet with student representatives to ensure that their voices are heard.

4)   Board members should begin the process of the superintendent search as soon as possible, with input from all community members.

These are simply the first steps in a challenging process. I am dedicated to making this process work for the students, and for all members of the new RSU 71.

Caitlin  Hills lives in Belfast