On June 10, Waldoboro will vote for one of two candidates to serve on the Regional School Unit 40 school board. RSU 40 comprises K-12 public schools Friendship, Union, Waldoboro, Warren and Washington.

PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to both school board candidates, Danny Jackson and Sonja Sleeper. Here, Danny Jackson responds.

Please provide a short biography.

Hello, I’m Danny Jackson. My family moved to Waldoboro in 1970 after my Dad retired from the Navy. My Dad was born in and grew up in Waldoboro. I attended Miller School, A.D. Gray Jr. High, and graduated from Medomak Vally High School in 1983. I have worked at Camden National Bank in Waldoboro for 25 years.

I was first elected to the school board in 2006. I have enjoyed my time on the board and hope to continue the work for another three years. I have served on all the committees at different times during my service to RSU 40. I’ve been chair since 2012. I also serve on the Midcoast School of Technology Board and I’m also a member of the Maine School Boards Association Executive Board.

What do you hope to accomplish as a public pre-K–12 school board member for your town? 

I’m elected by the voters of Waldoboro but I represent all the people of the RSU 40 community. I want to continue the work we have been doing, which includes but is not limited to working on fixing facilities, upgrading buildings, increasing pay so we can keep the  qualified and dedicated staff of RSU 40. We also need to make sure our students have the resources they need to have a successful education.
       
Which committees would you seek to join and why? 

If I’m elected board chair again, by policy, I can only be on a committee if someone is absent. It’s a responsibility and I take it seriously. I love helping the committees be able to have a quorum and do the important work the committees do for RSU 40 and the school board.
       
What is RSU 40’s number one strength or asset? How should the district protect and expand on this strength? 

We have a number of strengths but our number one is all the staff in the district. We have dedicated staff who don’t ask for much and they do a lot with what they get through the budget. We need to continue to make sure the wages are competitive with area districts

What is the number one challenge facing RSU 40? How should the district handle this issue?

I think there are actually two very important issues facing the district.

RSU 40 like many school districts are facing a bus driver shortage and this has been an issue for a few years now. The district is trying different ways to attract and retain bus drivers.

The other very important issue is Title funds this year. There is talk in Washington, D.C., of cutting funding or eliminating some of the title funds. It very important for the students and taxpayers to continue to receive these funds. The district is in the planning stages of what to do if we don’t receive the funds.
       
How do you view the role of public education in the U.S., in Maine, and in the RSU 40 towns? 

I feel the role of public education is very important. I’m against shutting down the U.S. Department of Education, which the Trump Administration is trying to do. Commissioner of Education Pender Makin is doing a great job for Maine students. It’s also very important for the students of RSU 40. They need to be able to have the resources needed to achieve the best possible outcome for their education.

Does the curriculum adequately teach all students about their role in a participatory democracy? 

I believe it does. As I mentioned in another response, if the curriculum needs to be changed or strengthened the administration would come to the Board’s Learning Committee and then to the full board with recommendations.

Do RSU 40 schools need to strengthen science and technology curriculum? If so, how so? 

I think the curriculum is fine. If the curriculum needs to be changed or strengthened the administration would come to the Board’s Learning Committee and then to the full board with recommendations.
       
Should schools adopt a phone-free policy? 

I’m not sure yet. I want them to be able to contact their parents/guardians but I also don’t want the phones to be used during class time. I think if there is a cell phone ban for students then there should be a ban on stuff using them.

Should pre-K programs be expanded? 

We have four pre-K programs currently in the district. The programs are at Miller School, Warren Community School, Union Elementary School, and Prescott Memorial School. Students who live in Friendship can attend one of the programs if there is space.
       
Is the free meal program worthwhile, i.e. should local taxpayer support increase to replace any lost federal funding? Are enough local fresh food from area farms being integrated into the meal program? 

Yes, I feel it is very worthwhile. Many students come to school hungry. Students learn better when they aren’t hungry. Yes, I wish we could have a lot more fresh fruits and vegetables in the school lunches. It would be healthier, but there are supply and budget issues that would have to be looked at before it was expanded.
       
What is your opinion on banning books from public school libraries? Are there any books you want pulled off the school library/classroom shelves? 

I’m not in favor of banning books, so I have no books I would want banned. When you start banning books, when do you stop?

Do you support or object to current state law which prevents discrimination based on one’s gender identity? Would you attempt to change RSU 40’s current policies and procedures regarding transgender and gender expansive students?

Yes, I support current state law. I would not want to have the current policies changed.
       
Do you feel the current budget is appropriate, too low, or too high? What areas of the budget would you change and how? 

I wish the budget could be higher so we could add programs or services but we need to be mindful of what the taxpayers can afford. It’s always a struggle every year during budget season to try and balance the needs of the students and what voters can afford.
       
Is there anything else you’d like to address?

People should try and attend events in RSU 40 and see the great work students and staff are doing. This could be going to an open house, attending a concert, attending a play or musical, attending a sporting event, art/science fair, etc. I would like to thank the voters for their support. I know I can’t make everyone happy. I hope by the years of dedication I have shown to the RSU 40 community and to the students of the district that I will continue to receive your support. Thank you!