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

PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to all school board candidates, Julie Swindler, Randy Kassa, and Rick Butler. Here, Julie Swindler responds.

Please provide a short biography (1-2 paragraphs) of yourself and explain why you are running for office.

Born and raised in Maine, I’ve been a proud Warren resident for the past 23 years, having moved to the Midcoast after college. My husband, Danny, and I have raised three children here, all of whom attended Warren Community School and Medomak Valley High School.

My dedication to local public education began as a founding member of the Parent, Teachers & Friends group at Warren Community School. In 2015, I stepped into the classroom as a substitute teacher, gaining firsthand experience and insight into the daily lives of students and staff.

Since being elected to the RSU 40 School Board in 2019 and reelected in 2022, I’ve served in a variety of leadership roles, including Board Vice-Chair and Chair of the Finance, Budget, Personnel & Negotiation committees. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, especially in helping our students recover from the learning loss brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With your support, I’ll continue advocating for responsible budgets, strong community-school connections, and keeping our children’s education a top priority in RSU 40.

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

I hope to help bring our district to a place that truly radiates pride from the entire community. That means continuing to support a robust and diverse curriculum that meets the needs of all learners, ensuring our school buildings are safe, comfortable, and well-maintained, and providing adequate classrooms and facilities to support both students and staff.

I want to make sure we’re hiring and retaining certified, well-trained educators and support staff, while also maintaining efficient and transparent budgeting practices. Most importantly, I believe in the power of engaged students and families—and I’ll keep working to strengthen those connections across RSU 40.

Which committees would you seek to join and why?      

I’ve had the privilege of chairing the Finance, Budget, Personnel & Negotiations committees and have also served on the Facilities Committee. If reelected, I would like to continue on the Finance Committee. I value the working relationship I’ve developed with our Business Manager, Karen Pike. We share a fiscally conservative approach, and I deeply respect her expertise. Understanding how taxpayer dollars are spent to serve students is a responsibility I take seriously.

I would also like to continue serving on the Personnel and Negotiations committees. With personnel costs making up about 80% of the district's budget, these committees are central to the financial and operational health of our schools. I’ve participated in five successful contract agreements across our three collective bargaining units. These negotiations require patience, clear communication, and a strong sense of fairness — balancing the need to pay competitive wages to our educators while being mindful of the burden on local taxpayers.

What is RSU 40’s number one strength or asset? How should the district protect and expand on this strength?

RSU 40’s number one strength is unquestionably our dedicated school staff. Day after day, they go above and beyond, even with limited resources, aging buildings, and escalating student behaviors. Our educators and support staff are the backbone of the district, and it's essential that we give them the respect and recognition they deserve.

To protect and expand on this strength, we must continue to provide opportunities for professional development, ensure they have the tools and support needed to succeed, and offer competitive wages that are on par with our neighboring districts. Our staff’s commitment is our greatest asset, and by investing in them, we invest in the future of our students and community.

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

RSU 40’s biggest challenge right now is the condition of our aging school buildings. Maintaining and updating seven schools is both difficult and expensive. However, I’m proud to say that with an increase to the capital improvement budget last year and some very strategic planning, we’re on track to complete most of the top 10 urgent projects by the end of this summer, including the necessary repairs to the MVHS septic system.

We are also closely monitoring the state’s school construction priority list to understand where MVHS and Miller School stand, as these are the buildings most in need of significant improvements. Additionally, we are preparing to apply for projects through the Revolving School Renovation Fund, which offers partially forgivable bonds to help cover costs—ensuring that we can make the necessary upgrades without overburdening taxpayers.

Addressing these facility needs requires a long-term, multifaceted approach, but I’m confident that with continued planning, strategic funding, and state support, we’ll be able to provide our students and staff with the safe, modern learning environments they deserve.

How do you view the role of public education in the U.S., in Maine, and in the RSU 40 towns? 

In RSU 40, public education is more than just academics. It is the backbone of our communities. Our schools serve families across two counties from Washington to Friendship, and they reflect the values, challenges, and hopes of rural Maine.

I believe the role of public education here is to ensure that every student, no matter their background or where they live, has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success, whether that means going to college, entering a trade, joining the workforce, or serving their community in other ways.

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

As a parent of two recent graduates and a current high schooler, I am confident that our school is doing just that.All students are required to take U.S. History and Government, which provides a strong foundation for understanding the structures of our democracy and their role within it. Beyond that, the increased attention on our school board has sparked greater student awareness about civic duty.

Last year, we saw a record number of students express interest in becoming student representatives on the school board, a clear sign of their growing engagement in local governance. Additionally, I’m hearing more about class elections happening now for next year’s sophomores, juniors, and seniors—further evidence that students are actively learning about leadership and participation in democratic processes.

I believe these opportunities are vital in preparing students to be informed, engaged citizens, and I’m proud of how our school fosters this sense of civic responsibility.

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

I’ve noticed an increased focus on science and technology in recent years. However, one area that does need strengthening is our high school lab facilities. Our science educators are doing the best they can with facilities that haven’t been updated since the school was built in 1968. These outdated labs limit the hands-on experiences that are essential for students to fully engage with the curriculum in a safe and effective manner.

I would love to see either new or renovated science classrooms at Medomak Valley High School in the near future. Updating these facilities would provide our students with the opportunity to engage in more modern, interactive science education and would better prepare them for college and career paths in STEM fields.

Should schools adopt a phone-free policy?

I do believe that our Elementary and Middle schools should adopt a phone-free policy. At these levels, phones can be a significant distraction and can interfere with students’ ability to focus on their learning.

However, I don’t agree with completely blocking access to phones at the high school level. While I think students should be allowed to have their phones for emergencies or after-school coordination, I do feel that classrooms should remain phone-free. Currently, each teacher is responsible for managing phone use within their classroom, but I could see the benefit of establishing a more consistent procedure, such as collecting devices during attendance or at the start of class. This would create a more focused learning environment while still respecting students’ ability to have their phones available when needed outside of class.

Should pre-K programs be expanded? 

RSU 40 currently offers full-day, full-week pre-K programming for four-year-olds in four of our five elementary schools, with availability to residents of all five towns. I believe that we are doing a great job of serving those families who are interested in the program. At this time, it seems that the needs of our community are being met with the current structure.

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?

Since the state of Maine began supplementing the federal food program to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, the RSU 40 lunch program has flourished. The increase in participation and the number of meals served has helped offset overhead costs, allowing our kitchen managers more flexibility to improve the quality and variety of meals offered. This has been a significant boost for our food service program, which for years struggled to break even.

If federal funding were to be reduced or cease, it would certainly create a hardship. In that case, the board would need to carefully consider options, including planning, researching, and finding sustainable solutions. However, I don’t think it would be fair to place that financial burden solely on local taxpayers.

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 trust that our librarian and library aides will follow district policies in selecting materials that are appropriate for the school community. It’s important to have a diverse collection of books in our libraries, as this supports students' exploration, curiosity, and learning. A well-rounded selection gives students access to different perspectives, encourages critical thinking, and fosters a love of reading.

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?   

As a school board member, I have a duty to uphold the constitution and the laws of the State of Maine. In terms of RSU 40’s policies and procedures regarding transgender and gender-expansive students, I would have no reason to attempt any changes unless state law requires it.

Personally, I believe in the importance of kindness and respect for all students. My role is to ensure that every student is treated fairly, with dignity, and given the opportunity to succeed. It's essential that we create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, and I will always advocate for policies that support that goal.

Do you feel the current budget is appropriate, too low, or too high? What areas of the budget would you change and how? 

I believe the current RSU 40 budget is appropriate for the work that needs to be done. While I understand that the costs associated with educating our children can be burdensome for our community, I can confidently say there is no frivolous spending. The state sets requirements for what needs to be taught, and we must ensure that our infrastructure is properly maintained.

Most importantly, our staff, who are doing the essential work of shaping our community’s future, must be compensated fairly. Education is an investment in the long-term well-being of our children and community, and though the costs can be high, they are necessary to provide our students with the resources and support they need to succeed.

Is there anything else you’d like to address? Free space!

I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with the community.